Citizen Kane is a classic film that has captured audiences long after its release in 1941. It tells the rise and fall of a fictional newspaper tycoon, Charles Foster Kane. While set at the beginning of the 20th century, Kane could easily be a 21st charismatic leader of a company. In his fall, Kane shows blunders we can still learn from.
Personal brand matters
Kane makes his first major blunder when he runs for governor. While initially ahead, he loses the race after the papers find out about his extramarital affair with Susan, whom he later marries. But this scandal costs him the election and any hopes for a career in politics.
Beyond politics, personal brands are becoming more important than ever. Social media, blogs, businesses more than ever need a human touch, a human face to connect with their customers, partners. The human feel can differentiate and attract people on a more emotional and compelling level. Kane understood this
However, Kane failed because he wasn't authentic. He portrayed himself as a upstanding family man, but was having an affair. Creating an authentic brand for yourself requires more than staying true to your morals. Here are a few ways to ensure you have an authentic and effective brand:
- Let your personality shine through. Not a morning person? Talk about how you overcome it. Love movies? Maybe you talk about movies and your business. The personal element will make you approachable and let people connect.
- Specialize in a specific area. Show off your specific talent or unique skill. Whether it's what you do or how you do it, specializing and differentiating is crucial for people to understand why they should pick you.
- Do good stuff: People like doing business with people they like. You can have a controversial brand, but then you'll alienate people. Whether it's by being approachable, giving away services, or being nice to those that reach out to you, creating goodwill can lead to not only great relationships, but also a lot more business
It's not about you
In the beginning, Kane takes a hands on approach with only one business in his portfolio: a struggling newspaper. His guardian and trustee questions him about this. Why a newspaper when he had so many other successful businesses?
Kane explains that he wants to provide honest reporting to the working people. He admits to a personal element of revenge, yet he was focused on those beyond him. This drive allows him to take a struggling newspaper and make it successful again.
As time goes on though, Kane loses this ability to work for others. He becomes obsessed instead with proving them wrong or trying to buy affection. With his second wife Susan, for example, before they were married their affair was categorized as Kane with a "singer". Once married, he forces her to sing to give her legitimacy as a singer. Only after she attempts suicide does he allow her to stop singing.
Great leaders have to continue to put their ego aside again and again. They need to engage and empathize with their employees. They need to listen to those on the front lines to get an accurate picture of their consumers and the reality of their business.
When leaders are empathetic, they engage their employees more fully, and harness employees' strengths. Empathetic leaders recognize change on the ground, and innovate more. By putting aside the self, these leaders are more productive, and more successful.
You can't do it alone
Initially, Kane brought people together to help achieve his dream for a successful paper. He had his friend, Jedediah Leland, come on as a dramatic critic. Not only was Jedediah an employee but also a confidant, someone that wasn't in awe of the Kane name.
But when Jedediah gives Susan a negative review, Kane fires him. As time goes on, Kane becomes more and more isolated, eventually alone in his palace, Xanadu.
We often think about success as one individual. But success is often found in complimentary duos: Ben and Jerry, Buffet and Munger, even the Wright brothers. Great duos may not be the best friends. Instead, they bring different strengths to the partnership.
Buffett for instance, is the value hunter. Munger brings an understanding of psychology, history and technology to contextualize their investments. Together they created a company that's worth over $36 billion dollars.
Alone, Kane let his ego run wild and had no one holding him in check. When leaders have an equal with complimentary strengths, they can do more together than they could apart.
Citizen Kane is a tragic story about a man with great strengths, but bigger weaknesses. His inability to be authentic and empathetic not only leave him with a smaller business, but also alone. In the 21st century, great leaders can't rely on charisma alone. They must be able to relate to and work with others. Only through authenticity, empathy, and connection will businesses and people thrive.