Library / Stories
19 films, series, and a documentary — for first-time founders.
Library is for reading. Stories is for watching. Every pick on this shelf earns its place by carrying a lesson a founder can recognize on a hard week — same gate as the books. Paired with the seven stages.
Purpose — 6 stories
Film · 1976
also: Persistence
Rocky
Directed by John G. Avildsen
For when you're not in it to win, but to go the distance.
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Film · 2006
also: Persistence
The Pursuit of Happyness
Directed by Gabriele Muccino
For when conviction is the only resource you have left.
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Film · 2009
also: People
3 Idiots
Directed by Rajkumar Hirani
For when 'success' is the wrong word for what you actually want.
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Film · 1946
It's a Wonderful Life
Directed by Frank Capra
For the question the Purpose Compass asks: what would be lost if your work didn't exist?
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Series · 2008
also: Product · People
Breaking Bad
Directors include Vince Gilligan
For what 'purpose' becomes when it's actually pride — and the cost paid by everyone else.
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Comedy series · 2014
also: People · Pain · Product · Prove · Profits
Silicon Valley
Directors include Mike Judge
For the comedy that's accurate enough to hurt — every founder absurdity, lovingly mocked.
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People — 7 stories
Film · 2010
The Social Network
Directed by David Fincher
For the prototype of every co-founder failure you'll ever see.
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Film · 1960
also: Purpose
The Magnificent Seven
Directed by John Sturges
For gathering specialists under a purpose nobody promised would be lucrative.
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Film · 1957
also: Prove
12 Angry Men
Directed by Sidney Lumet
For when one person, with patience and evidence, has to change a room of eleven.
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Film · 1997
also: Purpose
Good Will Hunting
Directed by Gus Van Sant
For the gift you're not using — and the mentor who finally calls it out.
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Film · 1995
also: Product
Apollo 13
Directed by Ron Howard
For the team improvising under existential pressure — when failure is not an option.
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Film · 2016
also: Persistence
Hidden Figures
Directed by Theodore Melfi
For the co-builders denied credit — and the small circle of peers who keep each other moving.
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Series · 2018
also: Profits
Succession
Directors include Mark Mylod, Adam McKay (pilot)
For the cost of inheriting what you'd rather have built — and the family you can't fire.
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Product — 2 stories
Persistence — 4 stories
Film · 1995
also: People
Heat
Directed by Michael Mann
For the discipline of staying ready to walk away in 30 seconds — and the cost of choosing to.
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Film · 1994
also: Purpose
The Shawshank Redemption
Directed by Frank Darabont
For 'Get busy living or get busy dying' — the line that survives any year.
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Film · 2001
also: Purpose
A Beautiful Mind
Directed by Ron Howard
For founder mental-health under crushing pressure, before the world catches up.
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Documentary · 2020
also: People
The Last Dance
Directed by Jason Hehir
For the cost of being the relentless one — paid by you and everyone around you.
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