Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) is a quotable cult classic American coming-of-age comedy film. The film captured the cultural zeitgeist of the time with realistic portrayals of American youth as they navigated sex, responsibility and rebellion, the latter embodied no more wholeheartedly than by Sean Penn’s standout stoner, Jeff Spicoli. Even audiences who haven’t seen the film will recognize Jeff Spicoli because he created the mold of the archetypal slacker returned to time and again for the next several decades in cinema.
At first glance, Spicoli, with his long blonde locks, an affinity for shirtlessness and ambitions only to surf and get high, might seem an odd source of inspiration for business professionals. However, in many ways, Spicoli — and the film writ large — offer up a sun-bleached roadmap toward individuality. In business, as in life, there are times when conformity is an asset, but in others, embracing your individuality, inhabiting your rebellious spirit and being a true trailblazer are what lead to success.
That’s the Name They Gave Me!
Spicoli doesn’t spend the entirety of Fast Times at Ridgemont High riding waves and smoking pot. Instead, his story is largely set in a classroom, much to his chagrin, where he is locked in a verbal spar with authoritative teacher Mr. Hand (Ray Walston), who rules with an iron fist, if you’ll pardon the pun. Their repartee covers topics such as truancy, who time belongs to and Spicoli’s somewhat reductive, if surprisingly intuitive, take on the American Revolution (the U.S. left England because it was bogus; if their own rules suck, they’ll be bogus too).
There are a few elements of Spicoli’s interactions with Mr. Hand that can be mined for guidance. Spicoli remains as laissez-faire as ever, cool, care-free and unbothered by the teacher who presses him. However, perhaps the most pertinent takeaway for business professionals is that in all of Spicoli’s clashes with Mr. Hand, he never pretends to be something he’s not. When he’s late, Spicoli doesn’t bother to make an excuse; he’s either at the food line or he doesn’t know why he’s lagging behind. It just sort of happened.
It’s a rare thing for someone to be able to admit and acknowledge things that exist beyond their ken. And it can be particularly difficult for business owners and entrepreneurs, who may feel undue pressure to come across as the smartest person in the room. However, the reality is it’s perfectly acceptable to have blind spots, and it’s healthy to acknowledge this and to bounce ideas off your team according to their specialties and unique qualifications. You brought them in for a reason. Admitting limitations will not typically hinder success; hubris, on the other hand, almost always will.
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No Shirts, No Shoes, No Dice
Whether it’s owing to intentional rebellion or total indifference, Spicoli’s Southern California misadventures often fly in the face of the rules. He quickly removes his shirt upon entering All American Burger, where he is scolded by Brad Hamilton (Judge Reinhold). He brings a box of pizza to the aforementioned Mr. Hand’s class, which goes about as well as you’d expect. He even crashes a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro, swerving, smoking and running red lights in the neon-tinged streets at night. Surveying an avalanche of cinder blocks on the vehicle’s hood, Spicoli announces he can fix it — his father is a television repairman after all.
While some, perhaps most, of Spicoli’s behavior paints him as the imperfect role model, there is something to be gleaned from the surfer bro’s rebellion. In business, some guidelines are meant to be followed, while others may be worth challenging or rethinking. Business owners and entrepreneurs hear endless advice, be it from team members, investors, strategy coaches and more.
Oftentimes, they may feel pressure to hew closely to the status quo or traditionally tested approaches without daring to venture to the cutting edge. Don’t be a slave to expectations or perceived rules that don’t serve you, and don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith on a new strategy. And if it all goes awry, follow Spicoli’s lead and find total confidence that you can fix it. Hopefully, you know a television repairman, too.
Hey, Bud, Let’s Party!
Thinking outside the box, invention, trailblazing, individuality and self-belief were not only showcased on screen in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The film’s creators embodied these thematic touchstones throughout its inception and development. Cameron Crowe researched what would become his debut script by going undercover as a high school student for a full year in what can only be described as a 21 Jump Street stunt. Director Amy Heckerling was an NYU and AFI graduate with only a short film to her name when she directed this landmark teen comedy whose popularity has endured for four decades.
With an unconventional research approach, a new screenwriter and an unestablished director, so much of the film was a leap of faith. It’s little wonder that the content of Fast Times at Ridgemont High would serve to mirror the collection of free-thinkers and risk-takers behind the camera in a celebration of individuality and being yourself.
Penn’s Jeff Spicoli is the poster boy for this trailblazing spirit. As business owners, whether it’s embracing a water-off-a-duck’s-back approach, accepting what you don’t know, challenging the rules or innovating, there’s more to learn from cinema’s favorite beach bum than meets the eye. In the end, Spicoli does battle humongous waves, but he assures us not to worry, danger is his business.
