How My Daughter’s Obsession with Disney Movies Gave Me Practical Leadership Advice

If you had told me I’d learn solid leadership advice while watching Frozen 2 for the 42nd time with my daughter, I would’ve laughed. But here we are.

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As a coach, I help people manage overwhelm, navigate uncertainty, and lead with authenticity. And as a parent, I spend my evenings negotiating snack choices and hosting Tinkerbell marathons. Somewhere between the leading lady’s high C from their “Big Song” and the existential emotional breakdowns I experience from Pixar, I realized: these movies actually offer surprisingly practical leadership lessons.

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Here are five leadership insights I’ve picked up – and how to use them.

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1. Frozen 2 - Overwhelmed? Just "Do the next right thing"

 

​“When one can see no future, all one can do is the next right thing.” - Anna

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In Frozen 2, Anna believes she’s lost everything - her sister, her best friend, her purpose (yes, this is a kid’s movie). Instead of succumbing to the overwhelm and grief, she anchors herself with a simple, yet powerful thought: just do the next right thing.

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I once had a moment in my career when I felt I was stuck in quicksand. I had too many competing priorities that all felt more important than the next. I reached out to my manager for advice. Together, we wrote out every project on a whiteboard and then listed the very next step for each.

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That one activity was all I needed to clear the fog and feel empowered to move forward.

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Leadership takeaway:
When you’re overwhelmed, don’t succumb to it. Just take the next small, meaningful step. The whole problem does not need to be solved this very moment.

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Try this:
Ask yourself: “What’s one thing I can do today that aligns with our values and keeps us moving?”

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2. Moana – Say Yes Before You Feel Ready

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​​Moana is called to the ocean but is forbidden by her father to explore it. When she is told she is the chosen one to sail across it and restore the heart of Te Fiti to save her island – she’s terrified. She’s young, inexperienced, and doesn’t feel ready – but she does it anyway.

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Moana didn’t wait to feel qualified. But by doing it, she was able to grow into her leadership along the way. 

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I was once asked to take over a department. I was comfortable in my current role and convinced myself I shouldn’t do it. But then I asked myself: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” Of course, the answer was “take the role”. I did, and it was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career.

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Harvard Business Review reports that leaders who take on stretch roles (even when they feel underprepared) are more likely to grow quickly and build resilience. Saying yes doesn’t mean you're ready; it means you're willing to grow.

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Leadership takeaway:
The best leaders aren’t always the most prepared - they’re the ones who step forward even when things are uncertain.

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Try this:
If you're hesitating on a new opportunity, ask yourself “Am I hesitating because this is not the right step, or because I’m scared?”

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3. The Princess and the Frog – Balance Ambition with Joy

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Tiana is my daughter’s favorite princess, and for good reason! She’s hardworking, independent, and laser-focused on her goal of opening her own restaurant. But her relentless drive causes her to miss the big picture.

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In the movie, she is transformed into a frog and is trying to break the spell so she can return to being human.

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In the song “Dig a Little Deeper,” she’s told:
“When you find out who you are, you'll find out what you need.”

Tiana interprets that as “achieve your goal, get what you need.” But the real lesson is deeper: reflection, relationships and purpose matter just as much as ambition.

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Leadership takeaway:
Hustle is great. But without space, connection, and joy, you’re going to have a much harder time accomplishing your goal and it will burn you out in the process. 

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Try this:
Create space for reflection and connection: Start team meetings with a quick personal check-in, keep a running “wins list,” and intentionally carve out time in your workday dedicated to mental rest – even if it’s only 15 minutes.

 

4. Finding Nemo – Just Keep Swimming

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Finding Nemo follows Marlin, an anxious clownfish searching for his lost son, and Dory, a cheerful fish with short-term memory loss.

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Dory is overwhelmingly optimistic that everything will work out, no matter how daunting or risky. Despite setbacks, danger, and confusion, she repeats one simple mantra: “Just keep swimming.”

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This phrase has become iconic, which makes a lot of sense! Her positivity and persistence keep them moving and ultimately lead them to finding Nemo.

A study from Rice University found that persistence was the strongest predictor of academic success - more than empathy, creativity, or even self-confidence. Students who rated themselves high in persistence performed significantly better in both reading and math. It’s a reminder that steady, consistent effort (not perfection) is often what leads to real progress.

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Leadership takeaway:
Progress isn’t about having all the answers or doing it flawlessly. It’s about continuing to move forward especially when things feel messy or hard.

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Try this:
When you are in the thick of change or uncertainty, break the problem into bite-sized pieces. Ask: “What’s one thing I can do in the next 15 minutes to move us forward?”

 

5. Toy Story 4 – Know When to Step Away

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Woody, the ever-loyal cowboy, is the heart of the Toy Story series. Across four movies, he leads with purpose, loyalty, and  a strong sense of identity tied to being “a kid’s toy.”

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But in Toy Story 4, Woody faces a turning point. He realize he’s clinging to a role that no longer serves him, or the group. Instead of holding on, he lets go and makes space for others to step in.

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I spent over a decade at a company I loved. It shaped me, and I thought I’d be there forever. But after years of organizational change (and personal change, too), I realized naturally it was the right time to move onto something different. It’s easy for your job to become your identity – and admitting that can be scary – and exhilarating.

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Leadership takeaway:
Letting go isn’t failure - it’s growth. Sometimes stepping aside is the bravest move.

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Try this:
Ask yourself: “Am I still the best person for this role, or am I staying out of habit?”

 

Final Thought: Your Inner Leader Might Be Wearing a Sparkly Dress

 

​​Parenting and leadership may seem like different worlds, but recently, I’ve found them colliding in the best way. The stories I experience with my daughter are subtly reinforcing the same themes I explore with my clients.

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So next time you’re stuck or unsure of your next move? Maybe skip the leadership book and turn on a Disney movie. You might just find the advice you need (and yes, probably cry in the process).

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And if you need a little extra push? Just keep swimming.

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P.S. Disney didn’t sponsor this. I think they’re doing just fine in the brand awareness department.​​​​​​​​​​

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