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.'
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
Putting it to work
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.
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