Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Our Story
    • Partner with us
    • Reach Us
    • Career
    Subscribe Newsletter
    HR KathaHR Katha
    • Exclusive
      • Exclusive Features
      • Research
      • Point Of View
      • Case In Point
      • Dialogue
      • Movement
      • Profile
      • Beyond Work
      • Rising Star
      • By Invitation
    • News
      • Global HR News
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Diversity
      • Events
      • Gen Y
      • Hiring & Firing
      • HR & Labour Laws
      • Learning & Development
      • Merger & Acquisition
      • Performance Management & Productivity
      • Talent Management
      • Tools & Technology
      • Work-Life Balance
    • Special
      • Cover Story
      • Editorial
      • HR Forecast 2024
      • HR Forecast 2023
      • HR Forecast 2022
      • HR Forecast 2021
      • HR Forecast 2020
      • HR Forecast 2019
      • New Age Learning
      • Coaching and Training
      • Learn-Engage-Transform
    • Magazine
    • Reports
      • Whitepaper
        • HR Forecast 2024 e-mag
        • Future-proofing Manufacturing Through Digital Transformation
        • Employee Healthcare & Wellness Benefits: A Guide for Indian MSMEs
        • Build a Future Ready Organisation For The Road Ahead
        • Employee Experience Strategy
        • HRKatha 2019 Forecast
        • Decoding and Driving Employee Engagement
        • One Platform, Infinite Possibilities
      • Survey Reports
        • Happiness at Work
        • Upskilling for Jobs of the Future
        • The Labour Code 2020
    • Conferences
      • Rising Star Leadership Awards
      • HRKatha Futurecast
      • Automation.NXT
      • The Great HR Debate
    • HR Jobs
    WhatsApp LinkedIn X (Twitter) Facebook Instagram
    HR KathaHR Katha
    Home»By Invitation»Lessons from ‘Oppenheimer’
    By Invitation

    Lessons from ‘Oppenheimer’

    Guest WriterBy Guest WriterAugust 14, 20234 Mins Read37152 Views
    Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
    Share
    LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

    Last week I watched the much hyped movie, Oppenheimer. Tightly framed into three hours, the screenplay was excellent, the music was mesmerising, the performance was outstanding, the punch lines were beautiful, and of course, Nolan’s direction was extraordinary! Take a bow Nolan and team. Sheer brilliance!

    While watching the movie, I gathered some lessons that can be applied to the corporate world.

    1. Potential is identified by geniuses:In the beginning of the film, there is a scene where Oppenheimer (let’s call him Oppi) is shown struggling with some practical experiments but is clearly inclined towards theory. He attends Neil Bohr’s lecture and impresses him. Later, Bohr directs him to learn quantum physics theory in Europe, and Oppi follows his advice.

    In the corporate life also many a time we are guided by mentors who see the potential within us and get us to do our best. Have faith in the instincts of such geniuses.

    2. Push yourself:Oppi goes to Dutchland and learns Dutch in just six months. In fact, he starts giving lectures in the language. When his English friends ask him how he manages to do so, he responds, “I am pushing myself.”  That’s the power that comes from coming pushing oneself out of one’s comfort zone.

    3. Stay updated: Before the interaction with Einstein, Oppi says that his theory is good but it’s 40 years old now. That shows the importance of staying updated even while learning from the veterans. Don’t get stuck to the past.

    4. Surround yourself with the best: In his career, Oppi is surrounded by the best of minds from across the world. That always pushed him to think beyond and gain knowledge from the experts. One’s career and growth are defined by who one is surrounded with.

    5. Conviction: While exploring quantum physics, Oppi realised that the US has done very little in the field. He takes it upon himself to bring the subject to the US with the help of experts across the globe. His conviction and determination made it happen, and helped him do what he did in the field.

    6. Theory needs to be put in practice: One of his scientist friends says, “Theory will only take you so far.” This dialogue highlights the importance of practical implementation of theory, just as the 70-20-10 model of learning.

    7. Mission-driven collaboration: Oppi leveraged the best of minds for Project Manhattan and assigned tasks as per each one’s strengths. Bringing all of them for a common cause was his strength and all of them worked towards a common mission.

    8. True leadership: A dialogue that stands out is, “My job is to say ‘No’ to you when you are wrong.” That’s authentic leadership. A leader needs to be true to oneself and be able to call a spade a spade.

    9. Be Yourself: Oppi is advised by his friend, “Be yourself. You don’t need to wear the US uniform to prove yourself.” In the corporate world, many a time, we fall into this trap. Beware of losing your real self.

    10. Teamwork: After the successful launch Oppi makes a statement  — “We did it, everyone.” That’s how leaders act. They give credit of success to all. It’s not ‘I’, but always ‘We’.

    11. Values are significant: Oppi feels he has blood on his hands. The movie ends with the ongoing struggle between right and wrong. The innumerable questions that plague the protagonist, such as ‘What was the purpose of making a bomb? Is it worth it? Are we working towards ending the world?’, and so on.

    In the corporate world too, we go through such moments of introspection and doubt. In such situations, our moral compass gives us direction. Our values play a pivotal role.

    The author, Vivek Saha is the India lead talent management and OD at Thermo Fisher Scientific India. He has also worked with companies such as Aditya Birla Group, Network 18, and Godrej.

    Share. LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
    Guest Writer

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    fifteen + six =

    Related Posts

    Psychological safety: the new superpower in winning the talent war

    June 18, 2025

    Why employee value cannot be measured only by KPIs

    June 3, 2025

    Why every organisation should hire a chief happiness ‘pawficer’

    May 30, 2025

    The culture that’s quietly killing us

    May 21, 2025

    QUICK HR INSIGHTS

    EDITOR'S PICKS

    The Great Displacement: How automation is reshaping India’s workforce

    June 20, 2025

    How corporate prejudices are strangling innovation in the workplace

    June 19, 2025

    Psychological safety: the new superpower in winning the talent war

    June 18, 2025

    How entitlement is quietly reshaping the modern workplace

    June 18, 2025
    Latest Post

    Accenture elevates Kate Clifford to global chief leadership & HR officer

    Movement June 20, 2025

    Kate Clifford has been elevated to global chief leadership & human resources officer, Accenture. She…

    AIITEU calls TCS’ bench time cap an ‘anti-worker policy’

    Injustice June 20, 2025

    The Resource Management Group (RMG) at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) had announced a new policy…

    Employee sues US bank for violating rights, causing mental trauma

    Injustice June 20, 2025

    Truist Bank in North Carolina is facing a lawsuit filed by a former employee, Debra…

    It’s official! Vinay Razdan, CHRO of HDFC Bank has resigned

    Movement June 20, 2025

    Vinay Razdan, who had joined HDFC Bank as chief human resources officer in October of…

    Asia's No.1 HR Platform

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn WhatsApp Bluesky
    • Our Story
    • Partner with us
    • Career
    • Reach Us
    • Exclusive Features
    • Cover Story
    • Editorial
    • Dive into the Future of Work: Download HRForecast 2024 Now!
    © 2025 HRKatha.com
    • Disclaimer
    • Refunds & Cancellation Policy
    • Terms of Service

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.