3 Things That Lego Movie 2 Teaches Me About Leadership — Day 18 of 365 Leadership Blogging
This weekend we were invited to see Lego Movie 2 at the cinema. The kids were thrilled to visit the movies (again) for the 3rd time in one week so it easily made their day. For us, it was simply a good family time. Either way, I tend to put my all into everything I do, as a wife — mum and business person, so I made sure the moment was special for all of us.
If we pay enough attention to life around us, we will see endless lessons for us to learn from. Visiting the movies was no different and I immediately picked up on the thread of the storyline and a few lessons in leadership which I wanted to share with you. I know pretty clever right? If you have seen the movie then you will follow my trail easily. If you haven’t seen the movie, then hold my hand and follow my lead.
Don’t judge a person until they show you who they are
It was assumed that the character Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi was the one who was evil and wanted to begin a war. Watching the movie we began to see how she and her friends only desired peace but went about communicating this in very unconventional ways.
In my assessment (and discerning at that) of folk around me, I keep a rule to not judge others. I realise we have natural filters either inherited or developed over time but as a leader, it’s more important to trust our instincts than to go with any predetermined assumptions. It may not always work out that way, like in the movie, but if given the chance to course correct any mistakes made, they should be taken wholeheartedly.
I apply the same principles when it comes to listening for conflict within clients, friends and loved ones. My role is to remain objective, not to judge and adopt the best way forward in order to get the best out of a person, whether it’s talking, praying or taking direct action.
Freedom is everything
In the movie, Emmett was trapped under a “dryer” for a very long time (stay with me). Isolation made him bitter which in turn fueled his anger and desire for revenge.
This is not what freedom looks like and it was clear the isolation had created a bond within himself. As leaders, we can often feel like the burden is too heavy to carry or our responsibility to perform never seems to switch off. Rather than isolate those feelings, they should be explored in a safe space amongst a trusted environment. Coaching can be a safe space to have conversations that matter to leaders. Your ecosystem has to be fitting to grow and sometimes take the blows (the truth) concerning your landscape. This brings freedom and a definite sense of health and wellbeing. I spent years believing my voice was inadequate. And I equally spent more years taking time out to adjust the balance of my mind so that I can readily help others.
My physical strength against the inner abilities I have learnt about really helps me understand that freedom is not holding ourselves captives to anyone’s views. However, weighing up what is best for you is what counts
Are you brainwashed?
Hold up. This is a little bit of a tough one to answer because my views and yours are different.
This was the case with Lucy and Emmett. Lucy spent her time every day mediating of war on the heart because of something in her past. The film eludes to her hair being dyed to suit her circumstance.
Lucy became hardened in her heart but was the kindest of friends to Emmett. Emmett, on the other hand, was carefree and lighthearted and saw Lucy as a friend, even with her quirks.
In business, we’ll have people around us that are not like us. Who is brainwashed? No one. We all really need to find the common factors to get the job done, work for the cause or make the situation better, whatever it may be. My beliefs, lifestyle and opinions are different from yours but we need to accept that a difference makes us that more special.
There’s more to say about the movie. The Mamageddon was a really good twist and every parent will know that children also have their conflict. It’s good to have consequences and boundaries as it gave time to make peace.
A good film with some light-hearted fun teaching us a moral of letting go of the past and not letting it evolve into bitterness, not judging others with our own views as well as finding that common goal to be as one.
What about your business? If you work together with a friend or your partner. How do you find those balances?
