Fictional character, real inspiration: Discover how this “Marvel” became one of New York's best legal closers!

Monday: MicroBusiness and Marketing Marvels FROM THE DESK OF MILES EVERSON: Happy Monday! We hope you had a great weekend. Let's start the day with a burst of inspiration from our "Marvels." In these articles, we focus on telling stories, showcasing contributions, and sharing the valuable insights of awesome people in the industry. Today, let's shift our focus to someone who captured lots of attention and recognition from viewers worldwide, as he dominates the fictitious world of corporate lawyers in New York. There's more to uncover about this individual and the superb leadership skills and marketing smarts you can learn from him. Keep your eyes glued and let's dive into this article! CEO, MBO Partners Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute

Fictional character, real inspiration: Discover how this “Marvel” became one of New York's best legal closers! Harvey Specter: One of the Main Characters in the American Drama Series, “Suits” It’s no surprise that TV shows are here to entertain us, but do you know what's cool about them? Along with the entertainment, they sneak in some valuable life lessons in each episode. The “Suits” crew is here to prove that. Turning heads and winning cases—that's just a day in the life of one of the best fictional legal closers in New York City. This “Marvel” shows that if you have the right mindset and attitude, you can make it BIG in life. We’re guessing by now, you've got a pretty good sense of who this character is based on the descriptions above. If not, get ready to be stoked about him in today’s article! The Man Behind SUITS “Suits” is an American TV series that unfolds within the walls of a fictional New York City law firm. Right off the bat, critics were all over this show during its initial run—it racked up an average of 90% positive reviews from Rotten Tomatoes. What's even more remarkable is that seasons 4, 5, 6, and 8 aced the ratings with a flawless 100% on the same review aggregation website. One of the key drivers that got viewers hooked on the show is the outstanding qualities of one of the main characters: Harvey Specter! Harvey Reginald Specter is a formidable lawyer played by actor Gabriel Macht in the “Suits” TV series. He's the kind of person who always seems to have an ace up his sleeve, which makes him a master strategist. If you've watched the series, one big standout about Harvey is how confident he is. He doesn't say sorry for being exactly who he is—he's just Harvey, plain and simple. This self-assuredness is his superpower. He's so sure of himself that he can make people start doubting their own thoughts and views. That’s why Harvey is known as one of the best New York City lawyers in the world of “Suits.” Another quality that takes Harvey to the next level? He puts in the work to sharpen his skills! He's not just talking the talk; he's also walking it, proving that significant achievements don't magically appear overnight. What are some of Harvey’s excellent skills and principles that you can also apply to attain proficiency in your career? Elevating your worth through self-investment. Harvey's marketing magic starts with how he presents his personal image. He’s a walking style statement with his spot-on tailored suits, and his way of carrying himself screams total confidence and authority. This clever branding game of his isn't just for show. It's the reason he can walk into a room and instantly have everyone's attention. The air of expertise he exudes is part of his plan. With such a strong foundation, he's prepared to handle any circumstance he comes across. Understanding the significance of negotiation skills. Negotiation is a secret sauce in law and marketing, and Harvey is known to be an expert at it. As a “negotiation ninja,” he’s good at bringing in strategy, leverage, and all juicy information to his advantage. Harvey's moves are serious lessons for marketers, business owners, leaders, and managers like you. He's showing how to play the negotiation game and become a winner in the field. Mastering the art of reading people. Harvey is skilled at reading people. He has a knack for spotting doubt, conflict, and all those tiny emotions that creep into someone's words, face, or gestures. Because of that, he can call out bluffs left and right and even throw in a bluff of his own just for good measure. This shows the main character thoroughly understands human motivation and psychology, enabling him to utilize any emotion or knowledge to gain an edge. As Harvey accurately phrases it: “That’s the difference between you and me, you wanna lose small, I wanna win big.” Establishing strong connections. Harvey understands that connections are a big deal in his line of work, and that also applies to his improbable strategies. He's all about building one-on-one connections with clients, co-workers, and even rivals he's competing with. His approach drives home the point that solid relationships are critical in his field of expertise. His sharp tactics bring in referrals, spark partnerships, and set the stage for deals that are a win-win for everyone involved. There you have it—some of Harvey's skills, principles, and strategies you can take note of! While Harvey’s character in “Suits” is a lawyer, that doesn’t mean you can’t apply his strategies to your business or marketing career. You can still take a leaf out of his book and work on becoming the best version of yourself! — To wrap things up, allow us to share one of the most iconic conversations between Harvey and his protégé, Mike Ross (portrayed by Patrick J. Adams), in the show: "Harvey: What are your choices when someone puts a gun to your head? Mike: What are you talking about? You do what they say, or they shoot you. Harvey: WRONG. You take the gun, or you pull out a bigger one. Or, you call their bluff. Or, you do any one of a hundred and forty-six other things." This is an example of the "Harvey mentality." No matter how tough the situation is, he always finds solutions to problems. He goes beyond conventional ways, beating his rivals consistently. Alpha figures like Harvey employ unconventional thinking. It's this very trait that has propelled them to their current status. That’s why we also encourage you to develop a unique viewpoint and create outstanding solutions in your field of expertise! Through hard work, effort, and a clear mindset, you’ll get on the path that leads to your career growth and success. Hope you’ve found this week’s topic interesting and helpful.     In just over a decade, the digital landscape has witnessed an extraordinary transformation with the rise of YouTubers. Learn more about PewDiePie in next week’s article!