Lessons from The Blacklist

Just got this article published on the Huffington Post but wanted to share it here too! Read the full article on the Huffington Post.

Ever since I saw James Spader in Pretty in Pink, I loved him. Sure, his character, Steff, was deplorable but there was just something about his character that stood out. Now with the Blacklist, 80s movie buffs like me can't get enough! Here are some of Raymond Reddington's [who Spader plays with devilish perfection] traits we can strive to emulate.

Red's a master storyteller. He pulls you in by telling his terrific stories. Whether it is recalling a scene from a movie he loved or time spent with a friend, he's very detailed and dramatic. He makes you want to hang on every word.

He doesn't give away all his secrets. No matter what your profession or career, you always want to have an ace up your sleeve if you can. Always try to stay a bit ahead of the curve. Maybe you don't have the contingency plan of a suitcase full of half a million dollars and a surgical team at your disposal like Reddington, but keep abreast of changes in your field. Never allow yourself to become complacent.

Know when to fold them. Red knows when to walk away from a deal. Many of us hold on to the past, whether that is agonizing over past relationships or staying in a job we loathe, when we clearly know it is time to move on. Yes, there is fear of the unknown, but Red has learned to adjust to new circumstances, just as we all should otherwise we'll miss out some tremendous opportunities.

Red is good at reading people. In one episode he says, "We become who we are. You can't judge a book by its cover, but you can by its first few chapters. And most certainly by it's last." Good advice as most people can pretend to be something only for a short while, but their true nature comes out.

What other life lessons have you learned from watching Ray Reddington on The Blacklist? Read the full article on my page over at the Huffington Post.