*By order of the Peaky Fookin Blinders*
After binge-watching Peaky Blinders, which in my opinion is absolutely one of the best series ever made; one thing that stuck in my head for days, is how mind-blowing and complex this series is. It has action, storytelling, poetry, business and life strategies. Even the usage of violence is a portrayal or symbolic way to describe characters’ feelings. Better put, "to be gangsters they should be manly", so they fight in lack of the ability to express those hidden feelings vocally. What else can I say, it’s a wonderful piece of art. The mastermind behind the show is Steven Knight, and I bow to you sir!
As an addictive cinephile, I do not watch a movie or a series just for the sake of enjoyment. No, no, no. I also try to study the movie. As a writer and novelist, I love characters! I love to analyze them and break down the behavioral anatomy of their persona. Trust me, it’s fascinating!
The Peaky Blinder’s script is just perfect! The storyline, the structure, the pacing… everything is just absolutely at its place. But most of all, the best part of it, are the characters. Every time after the black screen announced the end of an episode, I couldn’t get my mind off the fact that every character in this series is absolutely a work of genius. They have their own voice, very different from one-another. You can easily distinguish who is whom, even if you read only their words, not seeing their faces or hearing their voices. But, the complexity and the captivating persona of the protagonist, Thomas Shelby, displays characteristics of a pure genius. It’s not a coincidence that this character is considered and voted by viewers as THE GREATES TV CHARACTER OF ALL TIME.
He knows his family, he knows the market, he knows the needs, he knows the competition and his enemies, he knows the business and foresees in advance everyone’s moves beforehand. He is a good leader, a brave entrepreneur, an excellent collaborator, and most of all, he is a great strategist. Don’t take me wrong, he has a loooot of issues, serving as a balance for his brilliance; but we’re gonna focus on the best part of him and explore his way of thinking.
His ability to engage in a variety of situations when facing different enemies, and still finding the perfect way out, is so impressing. He has a solution for every problem. He knows how to deal with any person who confronts him, kicking off every threat, and facing challenges with a structured plan even before the challenge is even born. And how does he do that? Simple. By managing himself perfectly. He knows himself well, he is aware of his ego, his strengths, weaknesses, and thus, makes him untouchable and undefeatable by competition. He knows what he wants and how to get it.
I know, we don’t have to combat gangsters nowadays, but we face different challenges from those of Thomas Shelby’s. We’re put in showdowns when we’re negotiating with third parties and especially when we’re being interviewed for a new job position.
Now, let’s break down this character and rank the lessons we can learn from him, adapting them for the purpose of a new job interview. Be aware, these are not the usual advice you get on the internet, so stick around till the end.
1. Being foresighted and turning trash into resources
Tommy Shelby does not turn lemons into lemonades, which is most often used to describe making the best of a bad situation. What he does is beyond that, he makes a bad situation even better than before. He can turn something that everyone else overlooked, to a valuable resource. He is not short-sighted, but instead he chooses to see the situation in a different perspective and benefit from it in the long run.
When you apply for a new job opportunity, you should check the company’s background first. Take all the information you can gather and study it. When the results are pleasing, apply. When you’re in doubt, think of how you can take advantage of it. The same applies for a job interview.
During an interview process, it’s not only the interviewee who is being evaluated, but the interviewer as well. If during the interview you might get some “not so good” information or a “meh” vibe, you shouldn’t just refuse the job offer immediately. As humans, when our expectations are not met properly, we tend to discourage and lose our attention. This gives a negative signal to the other side of the table. So, before unnerving yourself, ask yourself this question: “Can I turn this “meh” opportunity to become valuable towards another goal of mine?”. So, keep your composure soldier and look alive! Keep smiling and make your evaluation after the interview.
2. Keep your nerves and emotional reactions, low
As human beings, when assaulted, physically or verbally, instinctively we tend to react aggressively toward the other person. What Tommy does is controls his short-term reactions in exchange for the long-term consequence. This tactic allows him to outsmart everyone.
During a job interview, it’s normal to get hard questions to be answered to. Don’t just look aggressively to your interviewers, it’s their job to put you under pressure. Instead, calm your nerves, smile and give those peeps the impression that you can hold your ground as a mature and professional person. I guarantee you they will loooove you!
3. Learn to use State Breaking Questions
Let me just tell you this, I LOVE State Breaking Questions! I’ve used them in every interview that I had (without Tommy’s help), and the results were always in my favor. When put under pressure, or when you have no control over the interview, the best way to get out of it in a classy way, is by using some beautiful state breaking questions. The interviewers won’t even understand what just happened and therefore you can regain your power back.
Let me break it down for you.
When we’re under pressure our natural response is to go with the flow and passively accept the conversation pace set by someone who’s in a position of power over us. In doing so we surrender our power during our conversation which in negotiations usually leads to unfavorable deals. The state breaking question is a seemingly out of place question that breaks the one-sided conversational flow and from there the conversation is much easier to steer in a new direction and assure your power back.
Thomas Shelby, is the expert in the usage of state breaking questions. Whenever someone tries to threaten him, he slips the conversation in his favor by interrupting the other’s speech and introducing a new question that mostly has nothing to do with the conversation at all. This tactic distracts the other person from its aim and puts him in a defense mode.
Interestingly when Tommy has power, he doesn’t allow others to divert it away with their own state breaking questions. He simply continues down his original path rather than answering them. So, keep this in mind when the situation looks unfavorable, asking a seemingly irrelevant question gives you the opportunity to retake control of the situation and move it toward a more productive solution.
4. Apply the theory of “Gain and Lose”
When finding yourself on the other side of the table, try to view the world from the perspective of your interviewers. What do they need, what are they looking for, what are their leaks and how can you help fix them? Don’t just think of your own problems, but theirs as well. The best way to persuade someone, is to let them know you’re aware of their problems and what you’re offering will not just suit you, but will benefit them more. When you want to achieve something, try to appeal to people’s self-interest, never to their mercy or gratitude.
When Tommy really needs something done, he doesn’t just solve someone’s problems, he gives away both the carrot and the stick, which is a stronger motivation when you're trying to affect larger changes.
Some people are motivated more by the prospect of gaining something, others by the fear of losing something. And all of us are motivated when there’s a particular path that embraces both of those desires, which is why Tommy makes sure to hit on them both whenever he needs someone to be all in, on one of his plans. He doesn’t threaten, he tells how the future events are going to develop for you, if you don’t cooperate, what you lose and then he tells the story of what you gain if you cooperate. This is a far superior persuasive strategy than simply demanding or threatening people, and it’s incredibly helpful when you’re trying to inspire any group of people.
When in a job interview, don’t just talk about what someone can gain if they follow your vision, or choose you instead of any other candidate, but instead what they might miss out if they don’t. Try to elaborate more on both sides of the coin, always being you, the one who flips it.
5. Always tell the truth
If you’re attentive, you can see how Tommy expresses himself during a negotiation or family conversation. No matter his strategy, he always tells the truth. Even when speaking directly to an enemy.
Being honest is not a weakness, in contrast, it's the greatest strength you can have. It shows that you are fearless, bold and very competent. You’re not afraid of the situation or your opponent, cause you can handle it easily and with professionalism. Don’t lie in your resume, it’ll make you look pitiful and unworthy. Just be honest. Even if you have not the required experience or knowledge, show yourself capable of learning fast everything that’s essential for the job.
As an expression used in the series “Lies travel faster than the truth”, you should keep in mind to always, ALWAYS tell the truth during a job interview. Lying can help you for the moment, but lead you down a slippery slope as you must consciously remember what you have told in order to keep up appearances. So, make yourself a favor, be honest.
6. Own the fookin' place
Think it the way Tommy thinks it: “You’ve got nothing to lose”. Even if you don’t get the job, it’s fine. You’ll get another chance somewhere else. You can’t lose something that you don’t have. To help yourself with the emotions and fear during the interview, think it like you’re just having a conversation with some friends, or your new colleagues at your new job. You will notice, the flow of the conversation will change. You will feel more at ease and thus very comfortable in your skin. Don’t just answer questions. Instead ask some of your own.
Turn the interview at your favor by converting it into a normal and peaceful conversation. This will remind them to be aware of the fact that you’re not just the only one being evaluated. You both have the liberty of choosing one-another. So, don’t just stand there like being interrogated.
Be assertive, confident and show it to them. Even if you believe they’re the biggest company in the entire Universe and you are just a teeny-tiny unimportant ant. Remember you can be Antman and even though small, can own the entire place with your presence. The deterrence strategy implies, in order to keep enemies from attacking you, create the impression that you are more powerful than you actually are.
7. Follow the serpentine road
This is a strategy used mostly in politics. Thomas Shelby, never, (hear me out on this), NEVER answers straightly to the questions that are thrown at him. He starts by telling a story that later on connects it with the question made, gives his best answer and shuts the other person’s up.
Never answer straightly to your question! Why? For two reasons:
a) You need time to think.
b) You need to look smart
So, start steering the conversation till you come up with the perfect answer. That will impress them a lot, since you will look eloquent and very intelligent at the same time. Two birds with one stone, right?!
8. Open for new challenges and keeping promises
If there is a word to describe Thomas Shelby as a businessman, is Innovator. He is an open-minded entrepreneur who never says no to a new potential financial source. Keep this in mind when you’re having an interview. Even if you don’t have a single idea of what to expect, be open minded and undertake the risk of the new future challenges.
As Tommy always does, when committing to a cause and accepting the challenge, you must keep your promise and fulfill the assignment. Don’t just say “yes” to everything without thinking. Consider your options and whenever you believe is suitable, agree on it. If you get an offer back after the interview, make sure to say thank you and don’t forget to keep your word. You have a brand, don’t risk to damaging it. You’re gonna live with it for the rest of your life.
Comments