LION KING LEADERSHIP — LESSONS ON SERVING LEADERSHIP FROM THE LION KING
This weekend I did something for myself and watched one of my favorite movies from my childhood, "The Lion King". I sat down to watch the original with my boys on my cozy couch binging on Twizzlers and popcorn. Not only is it a great story for children, but it features some really great leadership lessons! I have attempted to capture aspects of four leadership lessons in what I believe to be relevant points that are applicable to any of us.
A Leader's Time Will Come.
“A king’s time will come. The sun will set on my time here and will rise with you as the new king." - Mufasa
Through personal growth and our own journey, there will be a day when our work is done and it will be time to move on. In the movie, Simba wasn’t ready yet for the role of Lion King but he had the core ability to be the leader under the right mentor. As a Servant Leader, it is important to make sure we are creating space for others to grow around us. You need to trust your instincts when it is time to move on and allow someone else to take on the role you leave behind.
The power in this lesson is to remember that as a Servant Leader you have the ability to plant seeds of growth within others you care for. The coaching you provide your employees along with the example you set will paint the picture of what true leadership is for them. You also need to set your future leaders up for success and try to avoid promoting them too soon. Don’t get stuck in the trap of confusing promotions as a form of development. When we put people in roles they are not prepared to assume, we need to understand that any mistake is actually on us.
The picture and example you instill in others will grow within them as they grow in their leadership and responsibilities. Leadership is constantly shifting with the changing environment around you which means you must be willing to shift as needed. Your time as a leader will rise and fade away in time.
We are all connected – everyone matters in the leadership food chain.
You may not be at the top of the food chain in your organization, but Servant Leaders know that everyone matters from the C-Suite to the Receptionist desk. Each person in the organization has a place and something to offer. We must exist within a delicate balance and take our place in the circle of leadership. Servant leaders understand the role of each employee and how their role contributes to the overall good of the organization. No job is too small and no job is more important than another. Servant leaders love each individual for the unique gifts they bring to drive the organization's mission forward. We all need each other and we are all connected to a common purpose, mission, vision, and set of values. Servant leaders love each and every person that completes the circle of leadership, not just the highest producers or the ones with the fancy titles.
Remember who you are.
Rafiki led Simba to the watering hole when he forgot who he was. The vision of Mufasa that Simba saw reminded him where he came from and what he was meant to be.
As a leader, you need to remember who you are. You are many things. Perhaps a mother, father, mentor, leader, or servant. Love yourself first so that you can share that love unto others.
Sometimes we lose ourselves in life and we lose who we were meant to be. Some of us pretend we are something we are not because we don’t want to disappoint others who rely on us. Our talents show up at a really young age and as we grow older we listen to voices around us that tell us what they think we should be. You are the only person who knows what exists within you. Your gifts can get buried if you haven’t used them in a while or are not in a job where you can leverage your talents.
Many of the individuals I coach are faced with this dilemma. They don’t know their purpose in life and don’t know what they do well any longer. It is important to never lose sight of who you are and the gifts you were given.
Hakuna Matata: No Worries.
Leaders have a big responsibility and it’s certainly not an easy job by any means. The role is faced with tough decisions at times and it can be hard to let go when we need to.
Servant Leaders understand that challenges will come. However, if they have hired the right people, we can trust them to work through the challenges. Empower your future leaders to make decisions and bring innovative ideas to the table. Mistakes are merely attempts to try something new. If they fail, they will learn, and as a Servant Leader, your role is to offer hope and confidence during those times instead of worry and fear.
What is your favorite scene and lesson from this timeless movie?
To your growth,
Kelly Merbler