Leadership Lessons from Madagascar: King Julian

Always have a plan, and stick with it: No matter how stupid it may be

We've all seen him, we all love him; here are some key leadership lessons to be learnt from that adorable, self-involved (and not so smart) Lima:

Charisma beats competence

Sure, great leaders are intelligent, savvy knowledgeable people. But they are not always the most competent. In fact, some of them make blunders of historical proportions. A sense of style, charisma and unshaken self-belief goes a long way to ensure credibility. Quite frankly, your followers like shiny things more than they like substance.

Self indulgence can lead to popular ideas

King Julian is a megalomaniac. Everything is about him. Sounds familiar? Most leaders use their own personas to create reasons for general merriment (‘I Like to move it move it’ would make a good anthem anywhere). 

As long as all your followers are allowed to have a good enough time, self-indulgent behavior can be rewarding.

Good leaders inspire plenty of (mis)adventures

Good leaders often miscalculate: over spending and leading their people to disaster and eventual ruin. None the less, in moderation, a sense of constant experimentation allows followers to be involved in perpetual action. From one ridiculously idiotic idea to another, King Julian has the talent of keeping his people busy and engaged. The outcomes are almost always a disaster. But there’s fun to be had along the way, and despite his designs being evil in nature, there remains a sense of adventure within his schemes.

A bad decision, call to action or forward movement is better than no decision or inertia.

Create plenty of distractions

Life in the jungle isn't always smooth sailing. Sometimes you run out of games to play, water or friends. Julian always has his antics pumped up to maximum distraction. There is an innate ability in leaders to provide distraction and escape from day-to-day problems precisely when they are needed. Even though these distractions are always to serve emperor for life Julian, they work.

It is OK to be disliked by many; long as you have a few on your side

He may not be popular, he may not be very smart, and he certainly can be an outright idiot. Leaders are often disliked by the majority, but they retain their position and their authority because (either through fear, inspiration or control over rewards) he has the support of the the right creatures by his side.

Be decisive even when you’re wrong

King Julian is can be pretty stupid in his decision making. But man does he make them with conviction. Leaders all share the quality of decisiveness; even when they themselves may think they’re wrong. The falsehood delivered with force becomes a truth divine. Right or wrong, put all your energies behind your decision and follow through with it. It may not work for you now, but it will create a sense of consistency. 

Shahbaz

Ajax

April 15