Chris Clews
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Summary
Hey everyone. Stay tuned to the end of the interview where I’ll give you some actionable insights that I learned from my guest. These insights are also in the show notes. As always, thanks for listening.
Now on to my guest for today, Chris Clews, author of Raised on the 80s and a speaker who draws on movies from the 80s to illustrate lessons for business and life.
After 20 years working in marketing, Chris was wondering what else life had in store for him. He found inspiration in watching one of his favorite movies from the 80s, The Breakfast Club. He began writing about insights he gained from 80s movies, first finding popularity on LinkedIn. He self-published a book, built a website, and became a speaker. He's since written two more books where he draws on 80s pop culture to relate lessons on work and life.
Chris shares some examples of these lessons for entrepreneurs and leaders. In Coming to America, Eddie Murphy plays an African king who journeys to Queens, New York. He hides his royal background and takes a job at a fast food restaurant. Chris explains how this is an example of humble leadership over earned leadership and how this can provide a better model for others. Another example he shares is the wisdom of Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid where he reminds his student to "remember to breathe."
Chris and I talk about how these lessons are as apt now as they were when they were made, why 80s movies have an enduring appeal to younger generations, and why the 80s were such an exciting, experimental time in popular culture.
Now, let’s get better together.
Actionable Insights
- Chris's advice to entrepreneurs is to take time to breathe. Like Ferris Beuller, it's okay to give yourself a break and take some time off. Stress, he points out, rolls downhill; how you react to stress is going to affect those around you.
- Chris believes 80s movies are appealing to younger generations simply for their great storytelling and relatability. You don't have to have all the special effects, bells and whistles, to make something people like.
- Chris notes that he has more memories from his travels than he does from things he's bought. He advises younger people to focus on making experiences, not just acquiring things.
