Disney has recently done a phenomenal job of empowering the princesses that become role models for so many young girls. For years Disney produced movies and stories of men who bravely conquered evil to save the greatly distressed princess. But let’s get real, us women don’t need saving and I think that message is so important to be passed on to young minds. At the beginning of the course we studied Trait Approach, and one of the original early studies the Great Man Theory was created. This theory states that “leaders were born with certain personality traits and only “great” people had these traits. Thus, they believed that leaders were born, not made” (Northouse, 2016, p. 20). While later studies prove this to be wrong, I think that some of the characteristics associated with strong leaders are important to highlight. Young children, young girls specifically, should be able to see these characteristics positively highlighted to assist in them discover their own talents and strengths. This is not a “man’s world”, young ladies need to be raised to believe in the beauty of being strong and powerful.
The Great (Wo)Man Theory can be noted in two recent Disney princess movies that I really loved watching; The Princess and the Frog and Moana. Princess Tiana is the star of The Princess and the Frog (2009) and is a modern twist of The Frog Prince. This takes the focus off of the prince (man) and on to the story of a woman who saves the day. Tiana isn’t actually a princess, she is a modest girl form New Orleans who wants to open up her own gumbo restaurant. She exudes self confidence and has a strong sense of personal identity; both characteristics identified by Stogdill in a 1974 survey as being positively associated with leadership (PSU WC, 2019). On top of her ability to stand firm in who she is, Princess Tiana had a willingness to tolerate frustration and delay (PSU WC, 2019). Due to a greedy prince (man), she is turned into a frog after he tries to resolve his own curse by kissing her. Instead of giving up and focusing on the fury that Prince Navene deserved, she channeled those feelings towards finding a solution to their problem. Her strength was encouraging and allowed for her and Navene to work together to achieve their goal of regaining their human forms (which they accomplish). Moana (2016) is another great Disney princess example of how The Great Man theory is used when creating leader personalities. Moana is the story of an island princess who needs to restore order for Motunui. Moana possesses the traits of venturesomeness and originality in problem solving (PSU WC, 2019). Against her family’s wishes, she leaves the island to take on the adventure that the ocean is calling her to complete. She too, just like Tiana, is tasked with working with a man (Maui the demigod) who partially caused the problem of the plot. Moana also has the ability to influence other persons’ behavior, yet another characteristic positively influence with leadership (PSU WC, 2019). Maui thought he was in the right when he stole the goddess’ heart millenniums prior, but Moana is able to open his eyes to his wrong doing and persuade him to fix his mistake with her help. Using her intelligence and confidence, she was able to restore peace to her island. Both princesses express a drive to for responsibility and task completion (PSU WC, 2019). Without that drive, neither would have been able to conquer the evil that disrupted their lives.
While Tiana and Moana are not the only princesses to emerge from Disney with these badass personalities, they are prime examples of how society and media reaffirm that there are character traits that can help to predict a successful leader. I think it is incredibly important for these traits to be expressed in movies and media as well as showing these strong traits in women to continue to empower their growth in leadership roles. It is one thing to tell our small, female friends that they can grow up to be anything they want to be, but it’s another to give them women to look up to whether in real life or within their favorite Disney princess(es). While we have studied theories that prove traits and characteristics are only one part of successful leadership, I believe that acknowledging some of these traits and their positive impact on a person’s success still has value. Every little girl dreams of being a princess, so why not live in a world where we raise unapologetic, strong princesses who know how to go after and achieve what they desire.
Works Cited
Williams, J. (2019). PSYCH 485: Introduction to Trait Approach: Lessons 2 [Power Point]. Pennsylvania State University: World Campus. Retrieved from: https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1972967/modules/items/25704829
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. 7th Edition. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, Inc.
mdh5581 says
First off, I’d like to say great post, it was very informative and covered various toppings in the class most especially the great man theory, or as you write the great woman theory. Secondly, I would like to address my disappointment in how you totally ruined those two movies for me as I have not watched them yet! I’m just kidding, I’ve seen them both. All jokes aside, I agree with you that for years; Disney has been producing movies for children that reinforces the great man theory. Men are the protagonists saving the damsel in distress. However, that is not the case in the movies that you mention as your examples which are the Princess and the Frog and Moana. You write that this is not a “man’s world” I agree with that, but by no means is it also a woman’s world. It is both a man and a woman’s world. I think that naming it the great man theory should have just been the great leadership theory instead. Bringing this topic up and discussing it is important for the development and equality in society.
“Lord et al. found that intelligence, masculinity, and dominance were significantly related to how individuals perceived leaders.” (Northouse, 2016 pg 20). Masculinity is the key word here and I believe that this might have persuaded the name a little bit. The people that were a part of the study found that dominance and masculinity were related to what they perceive as leadership, both words that would describe males. Personally, I think a great leader can be both a woman and a man and I agree with you when you say that it is important that media and movies should keep creating strong female leaders. Both Princess Moana and Princess Tiana show great leadership traits and I feel have head a resounding influence on young girls and the way they carry themselves. Your last sentence where you write “why not live in a world where we raise unapologetic, strong princesses who know how to go after and achieve what they desire.” is straight to the point and I feel that is very important in the world today.
We need to teach young girls to go after and achieve what they desire. However, my experience as a coach has only reinforced my belief that girls and boys both have equal opportunities to be leaders. As I’ve seen first-hand, the leadership development of my players by coaching both girls’ and boys’ sports.
One of Stogdills’ 10 characteristics really stood out to me which is, “self-confidence and sense of personal identity” (Northouse, 2016 pg 20). The movie Frozen, another Disney flick is all about finding one’s personal identity and it also features 2 female protagonists which like you say let’s young girls believe that they too can have self-confidence and personal identity. Not only that but it lets young boys see, in a society that is a little more bias for them to be leaders, that girls can be strong, confident and decisive decision makers taking control of their destiny.
Young Boys and Girls have equal potential to be leaders, but I agree that media and current state of society most importantly the past has made it difficult for there to be equality. And the world is playing catch up.
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. 7th Edition. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, Inc.