Running short of inspiration? Here are 7 leadership lessons from Matrix movies

Highlights

• ‘The Matrix’ is an American media franchise created by the Wachowskis (writers-directors) and Joel Silver (producer).
• These movies offer a great insight into the psychology of a leader and how things should be taken at their face value.
• There are several lessons that can be leant from the characters in the movies.

Movies often come bearing powerful life lessons wrapped in entertainment. What matters most is what you take away from a movie; while some just watch it for entertainment, others might absorb a great deal of wisdom and apply the same in various walks of life.

7 leadership lessons from Matrix movies

If you are feeling like you might use some inspiration, there is no dearth of inspiring, life-altering movies to choose from. However, one movie series that stands apart is ‘The Matrix’.

‘The Matrix’ is an American media franchise created by the Wachowskis (writers-directors) and producer Joel Silver. The series consists of four movies, beginning with The Matrix (1999).

Apart from being an instant visual delight with all those stunning special effects and leather-clad magnificence of Keanu Reeves, these movies also offer a great insight into the psychology of a leader and how things should not be taken at their face value. There are several lessons that can be learnt from the characters in the movies, that would help one to move ahead in life with more certainty and composure.

We have compiled for you seven leadership lessons from ‘Matrix’ movies:

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Go for the ‘red’ pill

The first movie in the series – ‘The Matrix’ – begins with a choice between the ‘red’ and ‘blue’ pill. The protagonist Neo (played by Keanu Reeves) was faced with a challenge to choose between the two. It was a tough decision. However, great leaders always opt for ‘red’ pill and believe in exploring the unknown. Rather than residing in the comfort of ‘blue’ pill world, true leaders believe in living in reality and face uncomfortable situations.

Overcome fear and have self-belief

In all the Matrix movies so far, Neo’s biggest fight was with himself.  He had to overcome his inner fear and start believing in himself to finally accept his path as “The One”. Only then, he takes up fight with his

his antithesis Agent Smith.

This can be likened to a real-life situation when one has many inner voices to listen to and fears to fight. While some prefer to tread a risk-free path, others might want to go all out. No matter how challenging our circumstances, we always have the power to choose. It doesn’t matter how many times we lose, what matters is to keep fighting. Neo may have been beaten several times by Smith, but every single time, he chose to get up and see him eye to eye.

Selfish gains are not for leaders

Morpheus is shown as a great leader in Matrix movies. He is always ready to sacrifice his interests for his crew including Neo. He maintains a health distance from selfish gains and ego. This is what a leader should be all about. Leaders are always caring. According to them, a captain is as good as his team. Thus, it becomes his obligation to care for them.

Search for deeper truths

Most times we don’t see things as they are. There are several layers to truth. In addition, each person’s truth is multi-layered. A good leader is the one who seeks to dig deep into the layers of truth and find out what matters the most. A leader can only serve better if he has better knowledge about the psychology and patterns of behaviour of his team members. You must always keep in mind that the deeper the truth, the greater the revelation.

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Don’t be afraid of failure

In the famous jump scene in The Matrix, Morpheus tells Neo to free his mind of failure and strive for success after the protagonist fails in his first jump. “You have to let it all go Neo. Fear, doubt, disbelieve. Free your mind,” says Morpheus. Many of us have failed for the first time in some of our endeavours. It doesn’t mean we are doomed.  The scene from the movie inspires us to learn through failure.

Training is the key

Recruiting high- calibre employees is every organsiation’s goal. However, it alone is not enough. Leaders should know that providing appropriate training and empowerment opportunities would actually help in tapping the real potential of people.

Morpheus did everything possible to strengthen Neo's self-belief. After guiding him to the right path, Morpheus steps aside and lets Neo proceed on his own.

Be patient

In all Matrix movies, information crops up in pieces as the plot unfolds. There are times when the protagonist has to live amid uncertainties. However, the ability to be patient and tolerate uncertainty helps to successfully move ahead in life. Surely, answers will come one day.

Bottom Line

Matrix movies are a ‘red pill’ in themselves as they open our mind to a fresh viewpoint on life. They teach us an invaluable lesson on how to be self-confident and focused even during worst of conditions. These movies make us believe in how things can get better with time for those who continuously work hard and lead from the front. Matrix movies are not just action flicks awash with mind-bending, eye-popping action sequences, they are imbued with lessons galore, which if applied, can change your life for good. So rather than just watching the movie, one must inculcate its lessons in their daily lives – as Morpheus said, “there is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path”.

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