5 Things I learnt from Erin Brockovich – The Movie

Alright, this is another one of my late night inspirations. Just done watching Erin Brockovich and completing one of my long pending work assignments, I thought I would pen some of my thoughts down about this amazing movie and what we entrepreneurs can learn from it! So here goes…

You do not need to be an Expert of a field to make a living out of it

When Erin chooses to be hired at the law firm she is a penniless, jobless single mother who also does not have a proper degree with the responsibility of 3 kids (all below 10 and a toddler aged just 9 months who is desperate to get a job) in any damn field that she can. Before that, she has tried all possible openings that newspaper classifieds had to offer and got rejected everywhere. Heck! She did not even have a resume! However, by the end of it all she turns out to be one hell of a successful person with a bonus check worth 2 million to the boot!

My point being, You do not need to be an expert in any field to make a living out of it. You can be a software engineer who can make a fortune selling vegetables or even just the opposite.

Your mentors know you, trust them!

Now there are many moments in the movie when Ed doubts Erin and her conviction. While sometime the doubts are unwarranted, most of them are by and large genuine. While Ed does not express conviction in her easily, he does let her get things done her way at the end of it. That’s mainly because he is pushing her to do her best. Go that extra mile for getting all the information.

Learnings: Many of us entrepreneurs have mentors in the form of family members, friends, uncles or even industry experts and they are known to give us a hard time again and again and again! Many of us either get angry or depressed about the whole thing and at times even give up the whole thing altogether. Trust me folks, we just need to trust them and let them push us when we need that push!

Cheek pays! Stubbornness pays!! So does guilt!!!
This is one lesson that I will never ever forget! Being fully aware of the fact that Ed Masry is just her lawyer, Erin lands up at his office and starts working as an Employee. And then sends him on a guilt trip with words about her kids and joblessness. Later, she has the stubbornness to stay back in the office despite being fired. If you think all of that is cheeky, wait till you see the scene where she combats Theresa, the highly qualified professional lawyer from their partner firm!

Learnings: If you need to meet someone important and you are aware that that person may not directly meet you, do not hesitate to be a bit cheeky to get the job done. Read our fellow Rodinhood Mohul’s article here to learn what he did. Secondly, if you are certain that what you are doing is right, stand by it no matter what! Stubbornness will pay in the end! Lastly, remember how Erin uses the fact that she is a two-time divorcee supporting 3 kids alone? Well she definitely knew how to use the guilt card to her advantage and make the most of it. You can often do this with potential investors (when its family and friends especially ;))

Do not shoot of your mouth before knowing the full details

Now this is with respect to the last scene where Ms. Brockovich gets her bonus check. Let me present the dialogues to you for you to get a better idea of what I mean;

Erin Brockovich: Ohh..What’s up

Ed Masry: I uh…I have your bonus check
Erin Brockovich: Oh yay…

Ed Masry:But uh….now I uh…I want you to be prepared uh…it’s ah….the figure is not exactly what we discussed….

Erin Brockovich: Why not?
Ed Masry: Because uh…after careful consideration I felt that figure was not uh…appropriate. Although you many not agree…uh..you have to trust my experience in that matter…

Erin Brockovich(interrupts sarcastically): Trust? You want me to trust you? Do me a favor Ed. Don’t use big words you do not understand!

Ed Masry: It’s a complicated issue..Erin you are not a qualified lawyer…

Erin Brockovich: I did a job and you should reward me accordingly. It’s not complicated at all. You know what? That is the fucking problem. All you lawyers do is complicate situations that are not complicated. Ya know why everyone thinks that all lawyers are back stabbing, blood sucking scum bags? cause they are! and I cannot believe you expect me to go out there, leave my kids with strangers and get people to trust you with *their* lives while all the while your screwing me! You know, Ed, it’s not about the number! It’s about the way my work is valued in this firm…Its about how no matter what I do you’re not….

[She looks at the two million dollar bonus check]

Ed Masry: As I was saying..uh…I thought that the number you proposed was inappropriate, so I increased it.

[Turns to walk away and turns around to her]

Ed Masry: Do they teach beauty queens to apologize? Because you suck at it!
Erin Brockovich: [Long pause, as Erin looks at the check] Uh, Ed… uh… thank you…

Learnings: Now this is something I feel may be important for those going in for funding. Do not reject or accept an offer before going through what’s in it for you (and them) carefully. Also, do not commit to your clients stuff you may not be able to deliver at the end of the day.

In the end, it will all be worth it!
When she got involved in the case, Erin was compelled to forget everything. Right from herself, to her relationship and even her kids for whom she was doing all of this in the first place. But in the end it all worked out. Her son Mathew, who was unable to understand why his mommy never spent time with him, understood when he saw how his mother was helping other kids and moms who were unable to help themselves. Her boyfriend George understood the worth of Erin’s efforts when he saw how happy Donna is from the verdict. And Erin, well she got back her life!

Learnings: It is easy to give up when everyone including yourself have given up on your dream. But when you decide to do that, just think why you came all this far in the first place and get yourself together. Also, when and those who matter to you see the smile on your client’s and associates faces, it’s all worth the effort.

I myself experienced this as an aftermath of my article through which I have got so much love, that it has really humbled me!

Watch the movie folks, and you will all know what I mean..

All the Best!