#769 crystallized

What does a 4-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man have in common?  The answer for most things would be "not much".  But one experience that does fall into that category: the movie Frozen.

While I was snuggling the baby*, three generations of people were watching Frozen.  Everyone knew most of the words to the songs; everyone was engaged in conversations about their favorite characters, and in general they all delighted in watching the movie -- again.

It is this mass, inter-generational appeal that has made Frozen the top-grossing animated film of all time.  As of May 2014, it had grossed $1.2 billion and counting, netting a royal profit over its $150 million production budget.

Certainly Disney's stature and merchandising muscle contribute mightily to the film's success, but I believe there are lessons from the film for your organization to consider:
> For many, the favorite character is Olaf the Snowman, not one of the princesses.  Don't overlook your supporting cast and the importance of humor.
> At the same time, paying for quality performers may be worth it.  The Let it Go version by Idina Menzel (in the film) has far outsold the radio single version by Demi Lovato.  
>  Experimentation is good.  Disney did not follow its tried and true formula of princess meets prince and lives happily ever after.  The animals didn't talk.  Everything doesn't go right.
>  Failure is ok.  Anna falls for the first prince she meets, and he turns out to be the bad guy.  You can learn from your mistakes and move on.
> Keeping secrets usually doesn't get you too far.  Once Anna knew why Elsa was kept from her, she could understand it and help her.  It was only after everyone knew of Elsa's true powers that she could do good with them.  
> Ask for help.  Anna asked Kristoff to help her scale the mountain. Kristoff sought assistance from the trolls.  You do not have to do it all alone.
> Don't be so quick to judge people.  All of us are a little bit of a fixer-upper.  Play on people's strengths to truly make the magic.  

I am sure there is more to learn from Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff and crew.  The next time you watch the film, do so through an organizational lens and see what leadership lessons can crystallize in your thoughts.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

*See yesterday's blog #768