From The Small Screen To The C-Suite: 10 Lessons Leaders Can Learn From 'Billions'
Television characters portraying psychologists, therapists, performance coaches and their clients often depict real-life psychological techniques that leaders and executive coaches can use as inspiration.
By Michel Koopman
The allure of savant-level corporate psychiatrists in television, like the enigmatic Wendy Rhoades of the Showtime series Billions, casts an intriguing light on the psychology behind optimizing complex human performance in the business world. Big-screen characters portraying psychologists, therapists, performance coaches and their respective clients often aim to depict real-life psychological techniques that leaders and executive coaches can use as inspiration.
A client recently called me the "Wendy Rhoades" at their company, and to say this comparison was flattering is an understatement. I find myself admiring the techniques Maggie Siff’s character uses to optimize the earning potential of Axe Capital employees by unblocking them when they are “stuck” in a trader’s equivalent of writer’s block.
I thought to myself, "Why not take pointers from this character who selectively unlocks a top earner’s potential and translate that into financial performance?"
Wendy’s character tackles the task of clearing mental roadblocks to professional success by examining external and internal influences, technical ability and individual personality traits to guide her fictional patients through sessions that ideally end with a “breakthrough.” She uses specific psychological principles in her sessions that real-world performance coaches and leaders can also use in 1-to-1 mentoring, quarterly reviews or coaching sessions, including:
1. Self-Awareness, Insight And Emotional Regulation
TV and real-life corporate power players sometimes falter under emotional pressure. Leaders with a high emotional quotient can recognize the value of emotional intelligence and regulate their emotions to allow space for others’ failure or misunderstanding without unnecessary drama. As explained in the Harvard Business Review, “Experience and power [can] hinder self-awareness."
I believe a person must achieve a certain level of self-awareness to arrive at usable insights for actionable improvement. Wendy artfully helps Axe Capital's traders realize their fears and desires and make rational decisions not based on emotional impulses.
Similarly, leaders, and the real-world executive coaches working with them, should prioritize self-awareness. An executive's clarity around their own personal motivations and needs must precede positive changes in the decision-making processes.
2. Cognitive Reframing
Cognitive reframing is essentially when negative perspectives shift to positive viewpoints. It is critical for leaders to mentally reset following mistakes or failures. Reshape these setbacks by viewing them as growth opportunities and downplaying emotions like embarrassment or self-loathing. This can help avoid a regression in productivity.
Several times in the show, Wendy recalibrates the mindset of employees by talking through stressors or anxieties, breaking them down and guiding them to problem-solve. This leaves her office feeling relieved and motivated to work.
3. Stress Management
Stress is a corporate world constant, and techniques like mindfulness, physical exertion and time management tools are necessary for power players to perform optimally. Wendy, for example, takes another character to a boxing gym as an outlet to release their pent-up tension and aggression. This is an example of how leaders can employ a tangible, physical method to address stress management. Physical activities (mine being snowboarding) can be a cathartic release and provide a productive way to vent energy and reset mentally.
4. Biofeedback And Relaxation Techniques
Biofeedback, a technique where individuals control physiological functions, is sometimes showcased in TV dramas. Real-life executive coaches can employ similar techniques by teaching clients to maintain composure in high-stakes scenarios by using breathwork to help regulate themselves when feeling stressed.
5. Behavioral Conditioning
Behavioral conditioning is the concept of doling out rewards or consequences to modify someone’s behavior. Leaders should use positive reinforcement to instill desired behaviors in their teammates. This can lead to healthier corporate habits and also create a desire in someone to please the other.
6. Goal-Setting And Visioning
Goal setting and visioning is a pivotal plot point for Axe Capital’s founder, and a 1-to-1 session with his performance coach helps him revisit his "why" and review where he was vs. where he wants to be. Any professional who loses their passion for what they do every day can benefit from a motivating visioning exercise to define actionable roadmaps to achieving goals.
7. Assertiveness Training
Assertiveness can be imagined as a middle ground between passivity and aggression. It is imperative that executives develop the ability to deliver nuanced communication that is direct and concise without overshadowing or offending others.
8. Conflict Resolution
Billions and other television shows often climax in conflicts. For instance, a pivotal character in Billions, Chuck Rhoades, Wendy’s former husband, has a particular challenge in avoiding conflict resolution. In fact, he often conflicts with the show’s star, Axe, who is his wife’s boss, out of jealousy. Beyond the screen, executives must develop negotiation and mediation skills. This can help them turn potential disputes into productive dialogues.
9. Performance Enhancement
Billions hedge fund managers constantly seek any “edge” to outperform rivals, whether through natural data analysis, corporate espionage or performance-enhancing consumables. Leaders should explore ethical tools and strategies that help them elevate their performance metrics and improve mental clarity, such as upskilling and improving business acumen. Leaders working with executive coaches can ask for help with this.
10. Navigating Moral And Ethical Dilemmas
Cinematic corporate plots thicken around ethical dilemmas. Real-life jobs require navigating the gray areas with integrity, especially in highly regulated industries like finance, government and healthcare.
From the fictional offices of Axe Capital to the real offices of the business world, these psychological techniques are applicable and pragmatic. These strategies, while dramatized on-screen, have real-life applications in the everyday corporate arena.
To the executives aiming to ascend the corporate ladder (or rock the current C-suite role you currently occupy), harness these techniques, and allow yourself to be inspired by the well-played fantasy of Wendy's captivating narratives.
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