Life lessons we can learn from the show Yellowstone
For the uninitiated, Oscar and Emmy winner Kevin Costner is the marquee attraction of the ensemble cast in this Paramount network drama series, starring as the patriarch of a powerful, complicated family of ranchers. A sixth-generation homesteader and devoted father, John Dutton controls the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. He operates in a corrupt world where politicians are compromised by influential oil and lumber corporations and land grabs make developers billions. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect, Dutton’s property is in constant conflict with those it borders — an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park.
The cast includes Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, a former US Navy SEAL and youngest son to John. Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton, a financier, and John’s daughter. Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton, an attorney, aspiring politician, and one of John’s sons.Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler, the ranch foreman at the Yellowstone / Dutton Ranch, and John’s right-hand man and enforcer.
There are many reasons why so many of us love Yellowstone and will never get tired of it. Binge-watching all three seasons made me quickly realize the life lessons and inspiring values that you can take away from the show. Here are some key lessons that are bound to make you a better leader, parent, or both.
#1. Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity! — Gen. George S. Patton
Background:
As the new livestock commissioner Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) wants to go out of the way to help a mourning rancher’s family. Kayce goes to his father John Dutton (Kevin Costner) asking for his suggestion on what to do
John: Your problem is the people, do what is best for the people that is your job
Kayce: You saying I should do it
John: Not saying anything, that’s your decision to make.
Kayce: Well, if I do I am going to need your help
John: Once you make the decision, I will do whatever you want
Lesson Learned:
This conversation resonates with Gen. George S. Patton’s leadership ideology best illustrated in the below video
#2. Motivating with more than just money
Background:
Wranglers are in the barn having a good time playing country music and drinking beers. John Dutton (Kevin Costner) is on the porch sipping his whiskey. Kayce Dutton(Luke Grimes), walks out to the porch and hears the revelry from the barn
Kayce: Hell, should we join them
John: I can’t
John: I never had much luck leading men and being their friend may be, it can be different for you
Lesson Learned:
Daniel Pink, author of “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us,” has found that we’re motivated by three things:
- Autonomy
- Mastery
- Purpose
To this list add building a sense of community feeling, so your employees feel connected to each other. Encourage your team to eat lunch together and eat with them. Throw a party, invite your employees. A sense of community influences after hour bonding. Teams that drink together stay together.
#3. Cultivate Emotional Safety
Background:
Beth was once pregnant and Jamie either did something to cause a miscarriage or persuaded her to get an abortion that possibly left her unable to have any more kids. This is kept a secret for a long time between brother and sister. When the secret is revealed to the father.
John: Sorry Beth
Beth: Sorry for what?
John: That you thought you couldn’t come to me. That you thought That I’d be ashamed or you’d be in trouble for it or whatever you thought. I am the one safe person in the world that you can come to, Beth for anything. And it breaks my heart I didn’t make you know that
Beth: I know it now. Now is all that matters
Lesson Learned:
We are all human, so we may project our fears, insecurities, and experiences on our people. When someone feels scared, ashamed, or intimidated it makes them feel that it is not their place to talk about their feelings openly. This creates an emotional distance between parent and child or leader and employee. It is necessary to build a safe environment with healthy guardrails where your children or employees know they can be who they are.
#4. Let them know it’s okay to fail
Background:
John expresses his frustration that everyone keeps secrets from him.
You know why, uh, people don’t come and talk to you? ’Cause they are scared they’re going to let you down — Rip Wheeler
Lesson Learned:
No matter how much effort you put into a task, it is impossible to always succeed. Instead of glorifying success and belittling failure, emphasize the journey. The ability to learn from experiences and persevere to attain a goal. By being transparent and vulnerable, you set an example for your folks to believe it is okay to fail.
Conclusion:
I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as you enjoyed watching the show. Here is the quick recap
- Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity!
- Motivating with more than just money
- Cultivate Emotional Safety
- Let them know it’s okay to fail
Picture Courtesy: Cinemablend
Reference: Paramount
