The Lion King Movie Analysis
Today's world requires leadership to compete and succeed. The rapidly changing conditions in the workplace demand adaptive leadership styles, and the success of an organization relies on leaders evaluating and applying effective leadership styles before workplace failures occur. The Disney's animated movie "The Lion King" portrays a combination of leadership styles and changing conditions. We chose to analyze Mufasa, King of Pride Rock, and explain his use of the Path-Goal Theory and its different leadership approaches based on who he was leading and the situation. Additionally, French and Raven’s Five Bases of Power is presented in order to highlight Mufasa's success in leading the Pride Rock Kingdom, while simultaneously using the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) approach with Zazu.
Robert House’s Path-Goal Leadership Theory states that effective leaders need to engage in different types of leadership behavior depending on the nature and the demands of a particular situation1. French and Raven’s Five Bases of Social Power describes how different forms of power affects one’s leadership and success.2 Mufasa portrayed these theories of management throughout his leadership of Simba, Scar, and Zazu.
Mufasa is a strong and powerful lion who possesses positive traits such as intelligence, patience, self-confidence, determination, integrity and sociability; he is also strong, trustworthy, brave, respectful, and loyal. Based on the trait approach3, he demonstrates attributes of an effective leader, holds a deep understanding of the forces that make the Pride Lands balanced and healthy, and varied his leadership approach based on whom he was leading (See Exhibit 1). The Path Goal Theory outlines four leadership styles– Directive, Supportive, Participative, and Achievement-Oriented, and these styles of leadership can be tailored to each subordinate1. Mufasa effectively used the achievement-oriented and participative approach with Zazu; he also effectively used
Robert House’s Path-Goal Leadership Theory states that effective leaders need to engage in different types of leadership behavior depending on the nature and the demands of a particular situation1. French and Raven’s Five Bases of Social Power describes how different forms of power affects one’s leadership and success.2 Mufasa portrayed these theories of management throughout his leadership of Simba, Scar, and Zazu.
Mufasa is a strong and powerful lion who possesses positive traits such as intelligence, patience, self-confidence, determination, integrity and sociability; he is also strong, trustworthy, brave, respectful, and loyal. Based on the trait approach3, he demonstrates attributes of an effective leader, holds a deep understanding of the forces that make the Pride Lands balanced and healthy, and varied his leadership approach based on whom he was leading (See Exhibit 1). The Path Goal Theory outlines four leadership styles– Directive, Supportive, Participative, and Achievement-Oriented, and these styles of leadership can be tailored to each subordinate1. Mufasa effectively used the achievement-oriented and participative approach with Zazu; he also effectively used