Recognising the need for transformation is a crucial first step for any individual or business. Recruiting a diverse team to support that transformation must be the next step to achieving success.

At Colab-8, we like to look at the approaches of elite sports teams to explore business issues and identify potential solutions. Film and other media can also provide food for thought when it comes to considering how to tackle arising challenges.

Many films use the device of ‘the hero’s journey’ with the protagonist facing a decisive crisis and, after successfully overcoming the challenge, returns changed or transformed. In an environment of ongoing and unpredictable change, considering the factors that aid our hero in achieving success can act as a guide to what we need in place to successfully transform ourselves and our businesses.

In The Last Samurai, we see Tom Cruise’s decorated army captain, Nathan Algren, stuck in self-destructive alcoholism. Haunted by the terrors of war, he holds the US army, its leaders, his direct seniors and himself all in contempt.  Trapped in a prison of low self esteem, the hero embarks on a transformation that is both healing and redemptive. 

The change is achieved with the support of those around the hero who perform a number of different roles, both replacing negative influences and filling gaps that existed at the story’s beginning. By identifying these positive influences and how they support change we can highlight the need for a range of supportive elements to achieve any desired change before considering how we might construct an effective network for ourselves.   

Being forced into a new and different environment, Algren’s existing expertise becomes useless, his fighting ability outmatched by those around him, he acknowledges his need to learn and adapt. Every person around him plays a role to help him achieve his transformation:

Katsumoto - Leader/Teacher/Mentor

The Samurai leader provides inspiration for Algren. He is an aspirational figure, someone he is fascinated by and can learn from. 

Taka - Compassion

Algren kills Taka’s husband whilst being captured. Despite this she nurses him to health, both from his wounds and then his alcoholism. He learns forgiveness, particularly for himself. He puts his mistakes behind him.

Nobutada - Friendship and Self-Esteem

Nobutada, Katsumoto’s son, is fascinated by Algren. He is excited to learn from Algren, to see him learn their customs and to excel as a swordsman. His enthusiasm and encouragement transforms Algren’s view of himself. 

Ujio - Goals

Ujio is the best Samurai swordsman. He provides a standard for Algren to aim for, defeating him becomes a goal to help drive the learning of new skills. Victories and defeats during that process act as a tracking of his improvement.

‘Bob’ - Reflection

Algren speaks to Bob in English. He expresses his thoughts, his feelings and Bob just listens, he is an outlet. This is supported by Algren keeping a diary. These are both powerful mindfulness techniques, helping to consolidate learning and reflect on experiences before considering next steps.

Who in your life performs these roles? What support do you feel you really need? How do you ensure you are in the right environment for growth and transformation? How do you track whether you are on course to achieve your goals? At Colab-8, we help founders and business leaders to build purposeful networks that can help them and their businesses achieve their transformation goals.