A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog entitled Leadership Lessons from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It was interesting to reflect on what we can learn from a childhood classic. Today we’ll explore the leadership lessons we can learn from our pal, Frosty the Snowman!
What can a fictional snowman teach us about leadership? I think the three primary lessons of Frosty the Snowman (written in 1950) are lessons of positive thinking, resilience, and fun.
Positive Thinking
Frosty the Snowman embraced the moment, making the most of the time he was “alive.” Think about it…he knew the “sun was hot that day,” and he had a choice. He could wallow in self-pity, bemoaning the reality that he would melt away soon. But what did he choose to do?
“…he said ‘let’s run and we’ll have some fun now before I melt away.'”
As a leader, how often do you choose to focus on the positive? To live in the moment? To make the most of every moment you’re given? Frosty led the children, and he taught us a valuable leadership lesson in the process: positive thinking is powerful, and it allows leaders to inspire those who follow them.
Resilience
Frosty the Snowman was a resilient leader. He made a conscious choice to lead even though he knew he didn’t have much time. One of the number one responses I hear from people about why they choose NOT to lead is that they don’t have any time. Frosty didn’t have time either…but he chose to lead anyway. He led for as long as he could and gave all that he had to give.
Frosty taught us that resilient leaders often have to make tough choices; they understand that “becoming requires overcoming,” and they decide that they can and will overcome obstacles in order to answer the call to leadership.
As a leader, how are you exhibiting your resilience? What do you need to overcome in order to become the leader you’re called to be?
Fun
At times leaders can forget about the importance of having fun. They get caught up in the day-to-day realities of action items and status reports and forget that they are leading people. These people need to “laugh and play just as the same as you and me.” Frosty led people to fun!
As a leader, when was the last time YOU had fun? And when was the last time you led others to have fun, laugh, and play?
Thanks, Frosty! You’ve entertained my family for many years, and you’ve given us important leadership lessons that we can all apply in our daily lives. You’re a rockin’ snowman!