The movie "The Help" is getting noticed because people who see it, recommend it to everyone they know. That's called cinema networking. It happened with The BlindSide. And, like The BlindSide, there are many story layers to The Help.
I didn't grow up in the south, but I remember the 60's culture very well. Bridge clubs, pearls, the right clothes, the right address and, most importantly, the right husband. As a woman, your social status was directly tied to WHO you married and WHERE you lived.
Taking the lessons to be learned from The Help into the workplace, there are many similarities, even today. From my point of view, here are a few:
Some companies have an unwritten "class" rule - - senior management does not fraternize with the employees. It is just understood by the current employees and a lesson quickly learned by new employees.
Unfortunately, "Hilly" is alive and well - - and she may be working with you. It helps if you understand he/she is just plain mean spirited. The person is not reasonable, may hold a position of authority and can, in general, make your life and everyone else's miserable. It helps if you remember to not take it personally.
Thank heavens for the "Skeeters" of this world. They see a wrong that needs to be fixed and they do it. If you work with a Skeeter, you will probably have to make a choice as to whether you get involved with their project or you try to walk the middle of the road until you see if they're going to be successful. Different strokes for different folks. Some readers will decide to step out and support Skeeter, others will wait. There's no one right answer.
And, of course, there's Aibileen and Minny who, along with Skeeter, change everything. If you know one of them (or you realize you are one of them), then you are an integral part of change in your company. The Help has lessons for all of us.
