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My role? Well, you know I was stumped one day when a little boy asked, 'Do you draw Mickey Mouse?' I had to admit I do not draw anymore. 'Then you think up all the jokes and ideas?' 'No,' I said, 'I don't do that.' Finally, he looked at me and said, 'Mr. Disney, just what do you do?' 'Well,' I said, sometimes I think of myself as a little bee. I go from one area of the Studio to another and gather pollen and sort of stimulate everybody. I guess that's the job I do.'

Walt Disney#126

WorkCreativityLeadershipCollaborationManagement

About this quote

What does it mean?
Disney describes his role as a facilitator who gathers ideas and stimulates creativity across the studio rather than doing specific tasks.
In plain terms
I don't draw or write jokes, I move around and help everyone do their best work.
What can you take from it?
Leadership often means enabling others rather than doing the work yourself.

Where it applies

  • team management
  • creative industries
  • organizational leadership

Putting it to work

  • empower team members
  • facilitate idea exchange
  • support creativity

Questions to consider

  • How do you contribute to your team?
  • What is your role in a group?

Another view

This approach requires strong interpersonal skills that not all leaders possess.

More from Walt Disney

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  2. No one person can take credit for the success of a motion picture. It's strictly a team effort. From the time the story is written to the time the final releas…

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  3. My biggest problem? Well, I'd say it's been my biggest problem all my life. Money. It takes a lot of money to make these dreams come true. From the very start …

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