I watched the new financial thriller Margin Call this weekend. Corporate dramas arent my go-to genre, but it had a heavy-hitting cast: Kevin Spacey, Demi Moore, Zachary Quinto and Stanley Tucci for starters. Despite taking place almost entirely in an office and focusing on the corporate world (which can be dry), the movie wowed me. It also reminded me of a few workplace and financial truths that could serve us all well—from behind the counter at a fast food restaurant to Wall Street:
1. The chain of command is real. The movie unveiled a complex corporate ladder that continued to unfold. The takeaway? Know where you are on the ladder and remain in the good graces of the big wigs at the top. 2. Sometimes you have to work late. The characters made incredible salaries but worked diligently. Showing your willingness to work hard can help you go places (or discover major flaws in your company’s risk portfolio, in this case). 3. Layoffs happen. No one is immune to losing his or her job. In the rough world of business, doing good work and proving oneself invaluable helps job security, but everyone should be ready for unemployment to hit at one time or another. 4. Sometimes the worker bees know the most. Those of us working at the entry- or mid-level to make the business function are often the most important and informed piece of the puzzle. 5. Dress nicely. Fitting in with workplace culture is important—the folks in this movie dressed the part. In my experience, it pays to err on the side of professionalism when it comes to workplace dress. 6. Investing involves risk. We all know it but tend to forget: the more risk, the greater your chance for reward. It pays to do your research before investing as there are few guarantees. 7. Beware burning bridges. Your contacts are among the most valuable assets you have. In the face of a fast payoff, consider the real cost of a burned bridge.
If you some spare time, check out this humanizing look at the beginning of the 2008 financial crisis. And you may just learn a thing or two.
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