100 Leadership Movies Blog 2: Maleficent

The newly released Disney movie "Maleficent" is another must see - yes, even for you who don't have young kids. Actually, the beautiful symbolism of the movie might be totally lost on children - this is a movie for grownups to enjoy. Watch the trailer below.

Warning: Spoiler alert - if you don't want to know anything about the movie yet, go watch it first, then come back to this blog. I won't tell anyone the ending, though.

In this new take on the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent was once a beautiful fairy who loved flying over her beloved moors.  She also loved Stephen, whom she had met as a boy. Young Stephen, however, had powerful ambitions. He wanted to become king. When the dying king promised the crown to whomever slayed "the winged creature" Stephen took his chances.  He attracted Maleficent to his side, pretended to love her, and clipped her wings.  Thus, when Maleficent issued her powerful curse on Stephen's child, she was acting out of revenge and bitter grief.

Aurora grew up to become a sweet teenager, beloved by all.  Watch the clip below, when Aurora tells Maleficent how she sees her.

I won't say more so as not to spoil the movie experience for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. Instead, I'll address the "two Maleficents": The evil and powerful fairy whom everyone fears and the loving protector Aurora sees.  Who is the "real" Maleficent? The villain or the hero?

Arguably, both - and there lies the beauty of the movie.  Maleficent reminds us that leaders are not all good or all evil.  Instead, leaders could be molded by love and grief, support and hostility, excitement and disappointment.

This "human quality" of leaders has three interesting implications. 

First, no amount of "development" will trump the complexity of human nature. The same leader could be a hero to some and a villain to others. Good and evil may lie "on the eye of the beholder."

Second, the good of a leader may depend - at least in part - on others.  Like young Aurora, some followers may have the power to transform villains into heroes.

Are you planning a leadership development process for your organization? Then consider this. Maleficent did not become a better leader after completing a 360 assessment or participating in a leadership training workshop.  She did not hire an executive coach.  She simply had the gift of a follower who loved her.

Remember the followers. They are leaders too.