As an entrepreneur or a leader, learning is essential. It gives us a key to unlocking limitless potential and knowledge. Almost every world-renowned leader is known for reading at least 30 minutes a day. Do you fall in this bracket? If reading is not your cup of tea, that is perfectly fine. Here is a list of five recommended documentaries to watch that will boost you as an entrepreneur and leader.
1. Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Duration: 1h 23m
Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a 2011 Japanese-language American documentary film directed by David Gelb. This documentary is the story of Jiro Ono, a three-star Michelin recipient, who has customers willing to spend $300 a plate. He is the owner of a modest 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant located in a Tokyo subway station. Jiro has been making sushi for decades, and his obsessive dedication has led him closer to perfecting it. Japan has called him a “national treasure,” however, the 91-year-old sushi master says he still has room to improve: “Even at my age, in my work I haven’t reached perfection. I’ll continue to climb, trying to reach the top, but no one knows where the top is!”
Lesson from the documentary: Perseverance and a strict work ethic will always pay off.
2. Happy
Duration: 1h 13m
Happy is a 2011 feature documentary film directed, written, and co-produced by Roko Belic. The documentary “Happy,” is essentially a how-to guide to happiness, including numerous psychologist opinions and personal stories about perseverance and resilience. In using statistical analysis by professional psychologists, Belic accomplishes an excellent educational aspect to the documentary and supports achieving happiness with people’s narratives. The film incorporates many transitional clips: maps, charts and anatomy models. By tying these clips with psychologist interviews and personal examples, Belic creates an authentic self-guide to happiness.
Lesson from the documentary: This combination, all in all, reinforces the central idea that it is your responsibility to pursue happiness.
3. Something Ventured
Duration: 1h 25m
Something Ventured was directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine. The documentary tells the story of creating an industry that became the symbol of growth and innovation in the 20th century. The film includes some of the finest entrepreneurs sharing how they worked with venture capitalists to grow global companies like Intel, Apple, Cisco, Atari, Genentech, Tandem and others. During the 1950s, this small group of people developed a new business culture that encouraged calculated risk that gave tremendous rewards.
Lesson from the documentary: Taking calculated risks can result in unprecedented rewards.
4. Steve Jobs: One Last Thing
Duration: 56m
Directed by Sarah Hunt, Mimi O’Connor, ‘Steve Jobs – One Last Thing’ focuses on the talent, style and imagination that have shaped and moulded him. The film looks at Jobs’ personality and reputation through interviews with co-workers and people who worked closely with him. It provides a unique insight into what made him tick. The film also features an exciting interview with Jobs. It took place a year after he was first diagnosed with cancer. Jobs explains his philosophy of life and offers advice on changing our own life to achieve our ambitions, desires and dreams.
Lesson from the documentary: It’s always helpful to step inside the mind of a genius.
5. The Creative Brain
Duration: 52m
The Creative Brain is directed by Jennifer Beamish and created by neuroscientist and entrepreneur David Eagleman who has dedicated his life to studying the brain. The Creative Brain takes audiences on a journey to meet accomplished professionals from across the creative spectrum, unravel the creative process, and encourage us to be more creative. The film also features exclusive interviews with creatives such as Game of Thrones co-creator and Emmy Award winner D.B. Weiss, Grammy. He highlights the real-life examples of failure and success in the creative industry, and encourages audiences to self-reflect, discover their passion, and embrace their inherent human ability to be creative.
Lesson from the documentary: It will help you understand your brain on a deeper level and tap into that power.
In conclusion, documentaries are a great fusion of fun and learning. These films will open you up to new avenues and concepts through brilliant screenplay and storytelling. The best of both worlds indeed!
