The Pursuit of Happyness film was based on the true story of American businessman Chris Gardner’s journey to success after becoming homeless while bringing up his young son.
Released in 2006 and starring Will Smith as Gardner, the biographical drama related events that took place during one year of the Milwaukee-born stockbroker’s life.
Following the breakdown of his marriage in the early 1980s, a combination of unfortunate circumstances led to Gardner being homeless, with sole responsibility for his son Chris Jnr.
Then aged 27, the single dad with a toddler held down an internship at San Francisco brokerage firm Dean Witter Reynolds for a year to complete his training without colleagues knowing he was homeless. Rather than giving up and succumbing to his fate, he would find a place to stay overnight with Chris Jnr, including at shelters, the airport, on public transport, in motels and even in a locked bathroom at the railway station.
Securing day care for his son, Gardner ensured they always had food by eating in soup kitchens. After many hardships, he was offered a job as a full employee at Dean Witter Reynolds, with a good salary enabling him to rent a home and achieve security at last.
In 1987, he founded investment firm Gardner Rich and built up his business over the years, going on to travel the world as a motivational speaker. Now aged 70, he’s worth an estimated £48 million and is a renowned philanthropist, particularly supporting homeless charities.
The film’s title spells “Happyness” with a “Y” instead of the regular spelling because Gardner says it represents “You” and what makes you happy, after seeing it written on a wall at Chris Jnr’s day care centre.
Why is determination important in business?
Gardner’s determination and desire for success helped him triumph over adversity. He has been hailed as inspiring business professionals to reach their goals in today’s real-world corporate scenarios.
Determination in business is a key trait that spurs people to keep going, even in the face of massive challenges. Gardner demonstrates relentless perseverance and grit, which are both desirable qualities to bring to the table when seeking employment. Employers should recognise the importance of these characteristics when recruiting, as they can signal exceptional commitment and performance in challenging circumstances.
Gardner famously said, “Don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t do something. If YOU want something, go get it!” Embarking on his journey as an intern was no mean feat, as he battled against not only a lack of money and stability, but also no experience in the financial sector.
On leaving secondary school, he joined the US Navy as a hospital corpsman and later worked in clinical research at the University of California Medical Centre. He aspired to become a stockbroker after a chance meeting with successful broker Bob Bridges, who gave him a brief introduction into the industry.
A natural when it came to his new role, despite competing with college-educated younger candidates, he got into the office early and stayed late each day, setting himself a goal of making 200 calls a day to prospective clients. His perseverance paid off when he passed his Series 7 examination the first time in 1982, leading to his recruitment as a full employee.
Recruiters should remember that candidates who have the potential to learn and grow could be ideal for the job, even if they don’t possess the exact qualifications or previous experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPBBnS4br9w
What drives business motivation?
With his motivation coming from a desire to create a better life for Chris Jnr by achieving his own potential, failure wasn’t an option, as Gardner stated, “When you’re doing something you’re truly passionate about, there is no plan B.”
Overcoming obstacles in business is an important part of success and he lived by the adage, “In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.”
Setting goals for a business gives you something to aspire and work towards, especially when there are opportunities for development and training along the way, as inexperienced individuals with great potential can transform into valuable assets for the company.
Determination and a desire to succeed can be developed and strengthened over time by setting goals and giving people the tools to attain them. Business professionals can use strategies to cultivate determination, especially in high-pressure environments, by setting clearly defined goals and embracing a growth mindset.
Think about how you felt the last time you carried on with a task, despite experiencing a desire to abandon it. You’re on your way to generating greater determination if you completed the task and felt a sense of satisfaction on doing so. It doesn’t even have to be a massive task: as Garner says, “Baby steps count, too, as long as you’re moving forward.”
An extremely powerful moment in the film was when Gardner impressed his bosses with his sharp problem-solving skills, proving his natural talent for the job, despite the unconventional path he took to become a broker.
The moment highlighted the value of self-belief and acceptance, with Gardner recognising the importance of being responsible for his own destiny. “People are where they are by some kind of choice on their part. You need to acknowledge that,” he said, refusing to be a victim of his own unfortunate circumstances.
How do you determine the value of a business?
Gardner’s rise to the top of his profession, leading to his becoming a multi-millionaire with his own company, shows two sides to the value of a business.
On the one hand, its financial value is important, of course, as no one can sustain a business if the money side goes awry. However, the company’s value in terms of inclusion and giving people from all backgrounds a chance to succeed is also important.
The Pursuit of Happyness emphasises the fact that job candidates can face adversity due to their experience and background, but if businesses recognise and nurture potential talent, it can benefit both the individual and the company.
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