Barbie’s Success: A Testament to Outstanding Leadership

In a world where the media often fixates on money and sensationalised clickbait stories, shifting our focus to something more meaningful is refreshing.

WARNING! may contain spoilers

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WARNING! may contain spoilers 〰️

Beyond the glitz and glamour, director Greta Gerwig’s remarkable leadership truly stands out. She has showcased her skills in shaping an intelligent cultural narrative and allowed her cast to flourish through autonomy and experimentation.

First and foremost, Greta Gerwig is knowledgeable about steering clear of superficiality and delving into intelligent cultural and societal commentary. Her direction forms the very backbone of the film, elevating it beyond a mere toy story.

One of Gerwig’s standout qualities as a director is her ability to build an intelligent cultural and societal context that forms the backbone of the plot.

She delves deep into the complexities of the narrative, using it as a vehicle to convey thought-provoking themes.

This thoughtful approach engages the audience deeper and sets an example for aspiring leaders in any field.

Gerwig’s Leadership Approach

A notable aspect of Gerwig’s leadership on the Barbie project is her trust in her cast. Through press interviews and behind-the-scenes glimpses, it becomes evident that the actors were free to improvise and experiment.

This autonomy and creative freedom were essential in bringing out the best in the performers and adding authenticity to their roles.

The environment of experimentation encouraged by Gerwig’s leadership was crucial to the success of Barbie.

It allowed the cast to push boundaries, try new things, and bring their characters to life in a genuine and heartfelt way.

Such an environment boosted the actors’ confidence and contributed to the film’s overall quality.

The film aimed to deliver a powerful message about self-love and explored complex themes related to patriarchy, mortality, and the challenges faced by women in society.

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Three moments, in particular, encapsulate the power of Greta Gerwig’s direction:

America Ferrera’s Poignant Monologue:

Ferrera’s performance is a testament to the emotional depth achieved when actors are empowered to engage with their characters fully.

By empowering America to improvise the monologue based on her experience, Gerwig enabled autonomy and created a safe space for other actors to have a genuine reaction, which resonated with audiences on a profound level.

Ryan Gosling’s “Sublime” Moment:

Gosling’s sublime moment in the film showcases the magic that can happen when actors are encouraged to explore their craft freely.

Gerwig’s direction created the space for experimentation where Gosling could shine and deliver a performance that left a lasting impression.

Margot Robbie’s Heartfelt Scene:

Where empathy and vulnerability help with being a leader, it can significantly impact storytelling.

In a scene with minimal dialogue, Margot Robbie’s Barbie sits on a bench next to an older woman and tells her she’s beautiful. This decisive moment is a testament to the emotional connection encouraged by Gerwig’s leadership, enabling actors to convey complex emotions through their performances.

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So what? Things we take from Gerwig’s direction into our leadership.

Always have a clear vision that motivates and is repeatable.

A vision needs to motivate; be memorable and have your team on board. To get there remember to test it with key people at every business level (including your stakeholders). Always ask for feedback and ask them to repeat back to you - this helps check that your language is easy to remember (and for others to repeat to others).

‌But it doesn’t stop there! Make sure you have specific routines at an organisation level that you can repeat and continue to make visible so it doesn’t get lost - oh, and continue asking for feedback and checking its relevancy at points in the year.

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An environment that encourages risk-taking, accountability, creativity and collaboration.

Make sure to review your systems, processes and tools to ensure they enable the environment you want and discourage micromanagement.

‌Make sure that you have rituals to help nurture autonomy and remove anything that gets in the way of people collaborating or being creative.