9 Entrepreneurial Lessons from Amitabh Bachchan

"Struggles and uncertainties, successes and disappointments, accusations and controversies, ill health and months in hospital, all such a vivid kaleidoscope of moments, events, images simply unbelievable and unimaginable" writes Amitabh Bachchan in one of his blogs. Today the whole nation is celebrating the 70^th birthday of this inspirational man who has ruled the film industry for around 40 years and still going strong.

In this long successful career of Big B, he has emerged from the trials and sufferings, a stronger person. His success story has a lot to teach entrepreneurs in establishing a great business. Like many entrepreneurs, Amitabh Bachchan had a continuous streak of 13 flop movies after the first success.

Let us see what lessons does the Shehanshah of Bollywood has in store for entrepreneurs:

9. His 13 flop stints teaches “Keep trying until you succeed”

Amitabh Bachchan gave 13 flop films before coming out with Zanjeer, his first hit Bollywood movie.

 

Lack of persistence is the primary reason why entrepreneurs fail to succeed in business. Some entrepreneurs start their business with high expectations but if their expectations are not met, they get exhausted and just when they are about to succeed; they quit. They quit when just a little more persistence should have made the difference between success and failure.

8. ‘Coolie’ Amitabh teaches to “Pick yourself up from disaster”

Amitabh Bachchan’s long and successful career has been tarnished by controversies, injuries and illnesses as well as financial collapse. During the shooting of ‘Coolie’, he hit his abdomen on the corner of the table leading to a rupture in his spleen causing a lot of blood loss. He was in fact, clinically died for eleven minutes.  He later came out of it. Likewise, he has shown great courage and toughness which has helped him rise out of these disasters like a warrior.

It shows that Great Men may fall but will also rise higher than they were before, if they are dedicated.

This is one trait entrepreneurs cannot lack. They must take failure as it is and try again, maybe using a different approach. They should believe in their ability and stand up again.

7. Crorepati maker teaches “Being humble keeps you grounded”

Everyone is aware that Amitabh Bachchan is the undisputed star of Bollywood, yet the humbleness he carries is what impresses us. This trait in him can be seen in his show KBC, where he supports the chair of the contestants while they’re seated. He makes them comfortable on the hot seat.

In the same way, an entrepreneur should maintain his calmness and state of mind while dealing with his employees and customers. Whenever required, a humble entrepreneur should never feel embarrassed in completing the pending work of his juniors. 

He should always treat his employees as stakeholders of his business, and not his slave.Humility is what makes you remain true to your work just as hard as you did the first day you start. It is what keeps you exploring new roles as well.

6. Big B in KBC teaches “Repetition is the essence of business”

Another noticeable thing about Amitabh Bachchan in KBC is that he keeps repeating the rules of the game for every new contestant, even though he knows them.

Similarly, an entrepreneur must understand that most business dealings and operations are repetitive in nature. Money is also made only from doing boring, repetitive jobs everyday. And, when you get that done, it comes the time for innovation.

5. His bond with Amar Singh teaches “Goodwill Outlasts Passion”

Amitabh Bachchan has maintained his goodwill among all the Film industry people and it has helped him in his darkest days. 

His relationship with politician Amar Singh is also another example of this Goodwill.

An entrepreneur must keep in mind that great careers are not made alone. They are a product of collaboration among team mates and co-workers. It is thus important to take this lesson. While it is great that you are a successful man and may have made so on your own. It is also important to maintain goodwill with all those surrounding you.

4. He believed that “Life and Entrepreneurship is like a boxing ring”

Amitabh Bachchan expressed his view about a boxing game saying, “Alone with an adversary, with nothing to defend yourself with except your own guile, strength and the will to fight. No external support and no avenues to escape. Just that roped square and the screams and encouragement from without. The outside. Never inside, never of any assistance, just words and voices. You fight alone and you fight strong. There will be voices, but no one comes in to help or hold. They sound good, but they remain distant. Demarcated and away.”

 

3. Always keep your promises – “Lalsingh jaan de dega magar jabaan nahin jaane dega”

An entrepreneur must keep on his promises. He only is accountable for the promises made by his company to its customers.

Amitabh Bachchan always honoured his promise to his producer and director friends - as he rightly said in one of his films, ‘Lalsingh jaan de dega magar jabaan nahin jaane dega.’

2. Calm and Composed Amitabh Bachchan teaches “Never to Lose Control”

An entrepreneur can never succeed in business even if placed in the best economy if he doesn’t know how to be self-disciplined. Discipline starts with self control and self control is a product of a strong self imposed personal standard.

Entrepreneurs must learn from Amitabh Bachchan, who never speaks rubbish about anyone. He speaks little and speaks with calculation.

1. His different roles teaches “Keep Experimenting”

Big B always experimented with the roles he played. He tried his hands at all possible roles. Black to Nishabd to Cheeni Kam to The Last Lear to latest project, Mehrunnisa.

To succeed, an entrepreneur must regulate his impulses and have the imagination to see what the future would be like if he tried something new. He should be open to new ideas.

Posted in: Entrepreneur