EP189: Leadership Magic Through the Lens of Beauty and the Beast
THE TALE AS OLD AS TIME…
…provide lots of leadership lessons!
Enjoy!
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(The notes below are only a brief bullet point summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
Sometimes my brain just works this way - I can’t watch a show or a movie without pulling leadership lessons out of it. Recently, I had the chance to see the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast in Minneapolis, and it struck me again how much this “tale as old as time” connects to leadership and life.
This story has always been one of my favorites, and as I watched, I found myself making connections to Insights Discovery, communication styles, and the way we choose to lead. Here are some of the reflections that surfaced:
1. Leadership Through Color Energies
Because I work so much with Insights Discovery, I couldn’t help but see the characters through the lens of color energies:
Cogsworth – Cool Blue: logical, rule-following, structured.
Lumiere – Sunshine Yellow: playful, full of energy and possibility.
Mrs. Potts – Earth Green: nurturing, caring, values-driven.
Wardrobe – Sunshine Yellow: warm, playful, and loves recognition.
Gaston – Fiery Red (on a bad day): arrogant, egotistical, demanding.
Belle – A blend of Cool Blue and Earth Green, with moments of Fiery Red and Sunshine Yellow.
Beast – Initially Fiery Red in overdrive, but underneath, an Earth Green motivated by love and loyalty.
What this reminded me of is how valuable it is to notice the preferences of those around us. When we can recognize someone’s natural style, we can connect with more compassion and adapt our communication in ways that are meaningful.
2. Quiet Leadership Still Counts
Leadership is often assumed to belong to those who are loud, extroverted, and commanding. Gaston certainly fit that mold - he rallied the townspeople with bold proclamations. But his leadership was rooted in ego and self-interest.
Belle, by contrast, led quietly. She used her voice with courage, compassion, and authenticity. She may not have been the obvious leader in her community, but her influence was powerful and deeply human.
This is such an important reminder: being quieter or more introverted doesn’t make you less of a leader. Quiet leadership can inspire just as much, if not more, than louder voices.
3. Look Beyond the Surface
Our brains are wired to make quick judgments, and the townspeople did exactly that when they saw the Beast. They assumed danger based on appearance and gossip. Belle herself was initially startled by his looks -but she didn’t stay there. She got curious. She looked beyond the surface and discovered his true character.
Leadership requires the same curiosity. When we pause to look deeper - beyond appearances, labels, or first impressions - we uncover truth, build connection, and lead with greater humanity.
4. Beliefs Shape Results
Belle and her father, Maurice, were called “odd” by the townspeople. They could have taken that label as a source of shame, letting it define them. Instead, they reframed it. “Odd” became uniqueness, something to embrace and build upon.
That’s the power of thoughts and beliefs. As leaders, we get to decide what meaning we assign to labels, setbacks, or circumstances. Our beliefs create our feelings, which drive our actions, which create our results. Change your thoughts, and you change your outcomes.
5. The Power of Hope
The enchanted rose was a constant reminder of time running out. As the petals fell, it would have been easy for the staff to give up on the curse ever being broken. But they didn’t. They held onto hope, and that hope fueled their actions and perseverance—even when things looked bleak.
Leadership is the same. When challenges press in, holding onto belief and collective hope fuels resilience. Hope is contagious—it can keep a team moving forward when giving up feels easier.
Final Thoughts
These may have been random observations during a Disney production, but they’re far from irrelevant. Leadership is about authenticity, compassion, curiosity, intentional beliefs, and the courage to use your energy well.
The truth is - leadership magic shows up everywhere, if we’re paying attention. And sometimes, it takes a story like Beauty and the Beast to remind us that curiosity, hope, and authenticity are what really make leaders shine.
What Do You Think?
Where do you need to look beneath the surface, embrace your uniqueness, or hold onto hope?
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