Have you seen the film “The King’s Speech” starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush? It just won four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. Why did it win? My opinion: because it’s a beautiful Strategic Intervention.
The movie’s based on a simple premise: Prince Albert of England had a stutter, and he needed help. After countless doctors and treatments in the palace had failed, his wife heard of an eccentric man named Lionel, who worked in a humble office in London and had tremendous success curing speech problems. Lionel was not a doctor. Speech therapy did not yet exist. He was just a man who had developed a great ability to help people with their problems.
It was very unusual for a Prince to visit a man like Lionel. It was so inappropriate, really, that they did so in complete secrecy. What Lionel discovered about the prince had no contact with regular people, had no real friends, and was very defensive, and arrogant, and difficult. And despite this, he wouldn’t even consent to answering any kind of personal question. You don’t do that with royalty.
Tough client!
The drama of the movie comes from Lionel’s ingenuity and resourcefulness with the Prince, his ability to use different modalities – humor, challenges, eccentric assignments, double-bind strategies, physical exercises, interpersonal interventions, and above all the power of relationship to transform this frustrated prince into King George VI, whose popular radio speeches led his people through a difficult war.
It’s a film about Strategic Intervention! It’s not speech therapy – the work was broader than that. It’s not psychotherapy – this work was more strategic and practical than that. The film is about how to practically and strategically shift someone towards the outcome they so much want, despite their defenses, their obstacles, and even their social superiority. The film features no car chases, no romance, no drama. And at the end of this film, the audience WEEPs with pride at the breakthrough.
If you’ve ever enjoyed one of our films with Tony, you’ll enjoy this movie!
*****HERE’S WHAT’S COOL*****
Our culture is shifting. When people pay box-office bucks to see a simple story of two men in a room overcoming a personal difficulty, it’s because our culture has become fascinated in how people change. More people than ever are more open to the idea that someone could arrive in their life and help them get an outcome that they dearly want and need. And they are paying to see this movie because they want to see how it can happen.
Our culture is on the brink of a breakthrough. Even the current fascination with “makeover” shows, as shallow and as crass as they are in many ways, speaks to people’s desire to be coached. So I want you to remember now that if millions of people are watching these films and shows, millions are wanting help. There is an opportunity for coaches now that there has never been before. So if you have a dream to become a coach, a Strategic Interventionist, someone who helps people to overcome obstacles and develop dreams – STICK TO IT! You CAN transform hundreds of lives. You can be the leading edge of this cultural shift.
Any problem with that, please write us at Support@RobbinsMadanesTraining.com
Warmly,
Mark Peysha
CEO
Robbins-Madanes Training
I have seen the promos for this film but had not planned to watch it. I guess I have to see it now. Thanks
The brilliance in this movie is how the doctor finally gets through to the Prince by being very matter-of-fact and providing space and empathy (not sympathy).
He opens up his eyes to the possibility of finding a solution by showing him what he is capable of (i.e reading from a book whilst listening to loud music). Genuis!
How amazing.. thanks for taking the time to write about this.
I must be one of the few people who hasn’t seen this movie yet but in the trailer i saw I did think to myself that the King got a massive pattern interrupt when Geoffrey Rush’s character got him to yell.. without stuttering!
I don’t do movies very often, but i will give this a one a watch since the recommendations come highly.
Thank-You
Julie
Thanks for this . I have always loved all kinds of movies as I feel that in Many cases , you get the writers or Authors (if its based on a book) real intent and message. the work that you , Tony , and Cloe do really levels the playing field; in that it doesn’t matter what stage of life or social or financial class youcome from we all have a real desire to have our needs met. dts like tony has always said in all of his works “why do people who have every privlidge, and oppporttunity both financial, ad social, as well as looks, popularity,…etc can be the most unhappy people while those who have come through brutal circumstances seem to be the most well adjusted, happpy people?. I think the study of human potential transcends all classes, cultures, races, faiths,and opportunities. I also think that people are more willing to accept coaching in other forms other than the arts and athletics; it is a great time for coaching of all aspects of our lives.
I can’t wait to see this film!
Mark , I just want to say how much I appreciate all of the videos, articles, and support you and the entire team @ the Madanes-Robbins center you have given without wanting anything in return. This is true giving! you are all an inspiration to the rest of us !
Thank you!!!!!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this movie. Its the earliest example of “coaching” although that title doesnt begin to cover the fantastic achievement these 2 men brought about; this wasnt just a guy with a stutter, it was THE man who was responsible for maintaining hope and courage without the medium of television, through words alone. Imagine having that responsibility and not being able to string words together – beyond your worst nightmare, yet he overcame his fear and along with his wonderful wife kept trying until he found something that worked, even though it meant thinking outside the box. One of THE most underrated men in British history without doubt.
Excellent movie and I loved when the church investigated what Lionel’s credentials were and none could be found to THEIR satisfaction. What was the response never put DR anywhere on my card just Lionel haaa excellent excellent. The human spirit and passion to be a man of service and how he did it wow factor. Great article you have written and I totally agree with you.
I loved the article and the movie was so nurturing to me, and the article motivated me so much to watch Tony’s video but I can’t find it so… I can’t watch it so … I’m confused
… my machine is not displaying it, so I’m wondering what can I do in order to meet my curiosity to learn more? Maybe you can help, please.
Thanks a lot!!!
Well, I must add that my doubt came because there are 23 votes rating the “Did the video work ok?” question so I supposed there must be a video to watch, hehe
If there isn’t one, well, thanks for understanding my curiosity, hehe
Blessings to all of you, you are amazing!!!
Maricarmen,
There’s no video in this post, but you could go to the other post on the right to see some amazing videos.
Regards
It’s an awesome movie, not least because there’s a change on the part of both characters: Lionel has to alter his usual approach without sacrificing the elements that make his therapy techniques successful.
I second the motion of Michael .
Wow!! Thanks for all your insightful/wise comments in all of your programs and videos and mails;just found this on the King´s speach. I so saw myself in that! And my father as the royal legacy! According to him I was never not good enough to rule my life – since I was born left handed!! After having forced me to be right handed (I was five) and even though I was doing amazingly well in school and even though I managed to bring up four beautiful and successful children mostly on my own and even though I had a successful carreer as a copywriter, he kept on critizising and yelling at me so my telephone ear, the left, was sudden deaf; the same year he died 84 yrs old, nine yrs ago!! Yes, I usaw myself in the King; I knew/had his feelings, amazed by by Colin Firths portrait; so true!! NOW. I was also the self educated speach coach, hearing/enjoying his/my wisdom. Cause thanks to the money my father left I sponsored 15 years of my life to find my thrue self/ my wisdom and I did! After the film I stod up and “shouted” YES; wisdom´s victory over knowledge!! Balance between the two is now my vision and mission in life; “Knowledge makes us rich; wisdom gives us a rich life.” Thank you for releasing that balance in all your work, Cloe & Anthony!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello, everyone.
I read this post many weeks ago and I loved how Mark pointed out that Lionel was a coach. Last night I was watching Dead Poets Society, and I realized that Robin Williams’ character “Prof. Keating” was an Strategic Interventionist as well. He took his English class and he taught them to think by themselves. This movie is from 1989, so I encourage everyone that if you find movies like Dead Poets Society or The King’s Speech that we could watch and see the SI patterns, post it here please. Usually they’re great movies.
This is one of the best films I have ever seen. The tension had me on the edge of my seat and to think it was a true story. Totally inspiring. Great acting, great everything. Don’t think about it just rent it!
Awesome. I think I will have to find this movie and take a look. I have always loved these kinds of movies. It speaks to people that lasting change is possible, even if they feel helpless to have it happen with them! Let’s ‘GO’ get ‘em! They are waiting!
MARK PEYSHA,
1st off I want to thank you folks for giving me hope, inspiration and courage inorder to even think of makeing a profession of “COACHING”.
I’m very much interested in additional information and training.
I’ve spent over 38yrs. within the construction industry as a “Union Plumber/Pipefitter” then to a 13yr “City Inspector” to a “Mechanical Field Engineer” as well as Privite business consultant.
Im currently setting up a coaching program here in Las Vegas Nevada offline and have alligned myself with on line coaches like “Mike Dillard”, “Jason Spurloc”.
It was from these and a few others that I was directed to Mr. Robbins.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you all soon
Ken Redway 702-401-5897
Absolutely enjoyed this movie!