Leaders Get People Moving

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“Leaders get people moving. They energize and mobilize. They take people and organizations to place they have never been before.” As James Kouzes and Barry Posner mentioned, leaders influence people and get people and society moving. Due to leaders and people’s work, we are living in a highly developed society, which is out of ancestors’ imagination. Today, I would like to compare and contrast to historical leaders who positively influence human beings.

        When asked which place you must visit in Los Angeles? I think most people will mention Disneyland Theme Park. Although there are several other theme parks in Los Angeles, Disneyland Theme Park attract tens of thousands of people from world wild every day. Coming to the park, we are involved in a Disney world and meet the favorite Disney characters. The beautiful world was created by Walt Disney, an innovative animator and a great leader. Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse in 1928, and produced the first cartoon with synchronized sound. Four years later, Walt created the first Technicolor cartoon, and won the Oscar. In 1934, the worldwide famous animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, was launched. The first live-action movie, Treasure Island was released in 1950, and then a bunch of movies hit Box Office No.1. These achievements didn’t stop Disney. After Disney opened Disneyland, the company owned a TV show, and Mickey Mouse Club. Currently, Disneyland Theme Park are available in Orlando, Hongkong, Shanghai, Tokyo and Paris. Walt Disney placed an animation created company to new areas that people never think about. The keys of Walt Disney leadership is innovation, risk-taking, perseverance and optimism.

        Walt Disney innovated so many classic cartoon figures, and gave them soul such as Mickey Mouse. In 1920s, it is hard for people to image a cartoon figure can speak. In addition, Disney didn’t stop, he put all his profits to invest to produce animated film. Walt Disney can be a animation film producer, but he had a TV show, opened theme parks and club. Walt Disney’s vision is to entertain whole families. Therefore, he did everything to realize the vision even though he met financial crisis when he was producing Snow White and Seven Dwarfs. Because of Disney’s perseverance and risk-taking, the first feature-length animated film was launched. Because the Snow White and Seven Dwarfs’ success, the following animation films were created.

        Despite Disney’s positive attributes, Walt Disney cannot achieve many accomplishments by his alone. As Disney said” The whole thing here is the organization. Whatever we accomplish belongs to our entire group, a tribute to our combine effort.”  To effectively and passionately communicated his vision, Disney told stories to his teams. Ken Anderson, one of the animators of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, mentioned a story that Disney bought all animators dinner, and portrayed all the parts of the story. Rather than presented strategies, Disney bought everyone a dinner, and sharing his vision with the team. Disney expressed his vision in a vivid and imaginative way so that it is much easier to motivate people and act in a right way.

        Compared to Walt Disney, Mother Teresa is another effective leader.  Mother Teresa is a nun and missionary. As a leader, Mother Teresa owns a clear vision. To help people need care is the core mission of Missionaries of Charity that Mother Teresa founded in 1950. Mother Teresa is an example for others to follow. She focus on the smallest thing but fully sacrifice herself. Mother Teresa relentless concentrate on helping the poorest of the poor. She spent most of time to help individuals in extreme need and one person at a time. In addition, Mother Teresa shared her vision with members. All members were required to adhere to the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience and give free service to the poorest of the poor. Mother Teresa listened to her members and helped them grow. Because their selfless contribution, in 1965, Missionaries of Charity was directly controlled by the papacy. Doing smallest things determined Mother Teresa achieve great thing in her life. Mother Teresa won the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize. However, Mother Teresa still insisted that her followers and she live the same poverty as people they served. She stated “ I am grateful to receive it in the name of the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled the blind, the lepers, and of all those who feel unwanted, unloved and uncared for throughout society” (“Mother Teresa, Winner of 1979 Nobel Pease Prize, Dies at Age 87”, 1997, p.86). Inspired by Mother Teresa’s servant leader behaviors, thousands of people followed her and contribute their life to the charity.  In 2012, the Missionaries of Charity has over 4,500 sisters and was active in 133 countries.