Scary movies – I find them quite funny. Why do the actors ALWAYS make the worst decisions? They practically walk right up to the said villain and hug them.
But, scary movies have much to
teach us. Happy Learning.
Ankles are the most vulnerable part of your
body
Achilles had his heel, but as horror tales clearly illustrate for the rest
of us it’s the ankle that will spell our doom, i.e. stand strong on your own
two feet - and ankles. Don’t ride another’s coattails.
Whether it’s a hand suddenly snatching your ankle as it shoots out of a
clearly botched business decision or a hand grabbing your ankle in a dark
hallway once you all decided you were going to stay in a haunted business
relationship because the work was as good as done anyway, scary always seems to
come, not from above but below, dragging us away screaming, clawing at the
floor, and wondering if this is what we get for wearing stilettos instead of
boots.
Somebody presumed out-of-sight will come back in the knick-of-time
Rule number one, that we all learn from horror movies, is that if you don’t actually see your friend die but just get dragged off by his ankles (see above – there’s those ankles) screaming or cursing you out for just standing there watching, then she probably will be back. Rule number two is that person will reappear both somehow stronger for having been beaten to near death by demons and at the very last second to save your life. Believe in your friends. They will be there to save your life, if they can.
Never Leave the Group / Team
When there’s a maniac on the loose, straying from the team is just a bad decision. We must work in teams. We must respect each team member. We must have each other’s backs. Cling to your group like glue. The loner always gets it in the end!
Always Bring Backup
One chief lesson that I’ve learned from horror movies is to always grab an extra weapon, i.e. always have a contingency plan. Just assume that your first line of defense will somehow go wrong. If a data-crazed zombie is banging down your door, pack an extra set of evidence-based spreadsheet to prove your case (just in case).
Shortcuts are a bad idea
Chances are, those off-the-beaten-path shortcuts will leave you stranded, alone, and in the path of a chain saw. My advice: due diligence. Shortcuts often result in disaster at the end. Do your job to the best of your ability. But remember, process improvement for increased efficiency is NOT the same as a shortcut.
Trust Your Instincts
We were born with survival instincts, thanks to our cavemen ancestors. However, we usually pay absolutely no attention to them and that is how people end up running from vampires. If you have a weird feeling about a place, or a person, or a possibly possessed thing running around the organization, trust yourself and work through the tingling instinct.
Scary movies provide valuable lessons:
Somebody presumed out-of-sight will come back in the knick-of-time
Rule number one, that we all learn from horror movies, is that if you don’t actually see your friend die but just get dragged off by his ankles (see above – there’s those ankles) screaming or cursing you out for just standing there watching, then she probably will be back. Rule number two is that person will reappear both somehow stronger for having been beaten to near death by demons and at the very last second to save your life. Believe in your friends. They will be there to save your life, if they can.
Never Leave the Group / Team
When there’s a maniac on the loose, straying from the team is just a bad decision. We must work in teams. We must respect each team member. We must have each other’s backs. Cling to your group like glue. The loner always gets it in the end!
Always Bring Backup
One chief lesson that I’ve learned from horror movies is to always grab an extra weapon, i.e. always have a contingency plan. Just assume that your first line of defense will somehow go wrong. If a data-crazed zombie is banging down your door, pack an extra set of evidence-based spreadsheet to prove your case (just in case).
Shortcuts are a bad idea
Chances are, those off-the-beaten-path shortcuts will leave you stranded, alone, and in the path of a chain saw. My advice: due diligence. Shortcuts often result in disaster at the end. Do your job to the best of your ability. But remember, process improvement for increased efficiency is NOT the same as a shortcut.
Trust Your Instincts
We were born with survival instincts, thanks to our cavemen ancestors. However, we usually pay absolutely no attention to them and that is how people end up running from vampires. If you have a weird feeling about a place, or a person, or a possibly possessed thing running around the organization, trust yourself and work through the tingling instinct.
Scary movies provide valuable lessons:
- Don’t be scared at work or ever hesitate. Trust your instincts.
- Protect your “ankles” or at least all vulnerable parts and projects.
- Make good decisions – don’t run into the chain saw – find a path above it. Take the high road.
- If you hear ominous music in your ears when someone walks by…smile, turn and run.
- Teamwork Teamwork Teamwork!
