A Single Grain of Rice
I am a big Disney fan. I love watching Disney movies. Disneyland is my happy place. I know. You are shocked. Mulan ranks in my top ten favorite Disney animated films. It tells the story of a young woman who, in order to save her father’s life, takes his place in a draft, taking on the persona of a man named Ping. In doing so, she ends up saving all of China from the invasion of the Huns. In the beginning of the movie, the emperor remarks, “A single grain of rice can tip the scale. One man may be the difference between victory and defeat.”[1]*
One of the things I love most about this movie (aside from the great soundtrack) is the way Mulan learns to be her true, authentic self. In doing so, she becomes a leader and inspires others to follow her even when they discover she is… a girl.
What Is Leadership?
In his widely read book Leadership: Theory and Practice, Peter Northouse writes, “Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.”[2] He goes on to say that leadership is, “a transactional event that occurs between the leader and the followers.”[3] While there are many books that define leadership, Northouse sets himself apart in the way he discusses leadership into relationship with followers. He writes, “the approach in this text suggests that leadership is a process that can be learned, and that it is available to everyone.”[4]
There are four aspects of the leader according to Northouse:
- Leadership is a process.
- Leadership involves influence.
- Leadership occurs in groups.
- Leadership involves common goals.
Mulan as a Leader
As opposed to the idea of leadership being defined as a trait, Northouse defines leadership as a process, something that can be learned. As a woman, Mulan is not a born leader. She does not have the right genetic code. She becomes a leader over time. When Mulan first enlists in the army, she is weak, uncertain, and awkward. Her fellow soldiers have no respect for her. Over time, she learns how to be a soldier. She gains the respect and friendship of her fellow soldiers. She gains confidence in herself. It did not happen overnight. It is a process.
Leadership involves influence.
A leader emerges as he or she gains influence, or power. Northouse writes, “Followers give it [power] to leaders because followers believe leaders to have something of value.”[5] In a twist of roles, Mulan, the woman, becomes the leader that they needed to save the Emperor. In the climax of the movie, Mulan learns that Shan-Yu, the leader of the Hun army, lives and he is on his way to the capital city to kill the Emperor. Despite knowing that she may lose her life, she goes to warn her captain, Shang. Shang ignores her and Shan-Yu captures the Emperor. Using her ingenuity, she convinces her friends and Shang to follow her to save the Emperor. In this twist of events, the men dress as women in order to get to the Emperor.
Northouse suggests, “Individuals emerge as leaders in the group when they become most like the group prototype.”[6] To the shock of everyone, the Emperor honors Mulan. Though she is a woman, she becomes the group prototype. She is the grain of rice that tipped the scales.
Leadership involves common goals.
When it comes to the power leaders wield, Northouse describes it as something that happens in relationship. He writes, “It should be used by leaders and followers to promote their collective goals.”[7] The main goal of the army was to save China from the Huns and to keep the Emperor safe. Mulan understands this goal and she approaches it best by being her authentic self. Prior to her unit discovering that she is female, she saves everyone by using ingenuity instead of brute strength. She sets aside her own safety to save the life of her captain, Shang.
If you read David’s blog, you know he did an amazing job detailing Jesus as the epitome of a leader to follow. Greg wrote an incredible blog about the importance of being imitators of Christ. Jesus is the ultimate example of a leader. I am sure you must be thinking, why did I choose a Disney Princess to discuss the traits of leadership? To that I would ask, why not? I love to look at things from a unique angle. As a woman in ministry, I am learning what it looks like to lead out of my strengths. I am leaning into who Christ made me to be and finding that what I have to offer is vastly different than my male counterparts, but no less needed or valuable. This movie highlights the unconscious gender bias we discussed last week. Throughout the movie, you can see Mulan struggling against the roles society expected her to play. It was only when she truly embraced who she was that she began to shine, and doing so, became the grain of rice that tipped the scale.
[1] Mulan, directed by Toney Bancroft and Barry Cook (1998, Walt Disney Pictures).
[2] Peter G. Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice: Fifth Edition. (Los Angeles, SAGE Publications, Inc., 2010), pg. 3.
[3] Ibid., pg. 3.
[4] Ibid., pg. 13.
[5] Ibid., pg. 13.
[6] Ibid., pg. 6.
[7] Ibid., pg. 8.
* I have included links to videos from the movie Mulan for each section with the relevant scene.
About the Author
Becca Hald
Becca is an ordained Foursquare minister, serving as the Online Community Pastor at Shepherd's House Church. She has over twenty-five years of leadership experience both inside and outside the church. Becca has served her community in many capacities ranging from Administrative Assistant and Children’s Ministry Director to Secretary and President of multiple school organizations. She and her husband, Andrew have been married for over 25 years. They have two adult children, Drew and Evelyn. Her great passion is to equip others, to raise awareness about mental health, and to help reduce the negative stigma surrounding mental health issues. In her free time, she loves going to Disneyland, reading, sewing, and making cards.13 responses to “A Single Grain of Rice”
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Becca,
I love how you made your blog enjoyable for you to write; using a favorite Disney character. The enjoyment came through your writing!
I like your deft conclusion where you summarized everything using cohort examples, gender bias, and yourself as an example!
I like this point that you highlight:
“When it comes to the power leaders wield, Northouse describes it as something that happens in relationship. He writes, “It should be used by leaders and followers to promote their collective goals.”
Have you ever had the opportunity to use power for the purpose of promoting collective goals?
Great post! You encourages me to be creative in my writing!
Thank you Kristy. It was fun to write. Now I am wondering how many Disney references I can make in my blog posts. As for opportunities to use power for the purpose of promoting collective goals, yes, I would say many times. I served as President of the Parent Faculty Association when my kids were in elementary school and President of the Theater Booster Club when my daughter was in high school (among many other volunteer positions throughout the years). My role was to lead these groups in achieving the goals of the group. From fundraisers to groups events, I led my teams in meeting the needs of our community. I loved being a part of these organizations and made many lifelong friends.
Becca, I really enjoyed your blog! Nice job highlighting Northouse’s points on leadership through the story of Mulan. One of my favorite parts of your blog is your closing in which you say: “I am sure you must be thinking, why did I choose a Disney Princess to discuss the traits of leadership? To that I would ask, why not?” You then go on to talk about leading from your strengths and being yourself. I love that. What if all leaders did that and encouraged others to do the same? Leadership would look amazing! Thanks for your post!
Thank you Jenny! I am glad you enjoyed it. I am really learning that the more I lean into my strengths and embrace them, the more I can see God working through me. Just this weekend, I had multiple opportunities to share the love of Jesus with friends in my community, friends I have made by leaning into my strengths, by being my genuine, authentic self. It would be amazing to see more leaders lead out of their strengths rather than trying to duplicate someone else’s ministry. I think the best way to encourage it in others is to model it. What are some specific ways you are leading out of your strengths?
Ooh, good question. I would say one of my strengths is that I love to learn, so I’m encouraging my team to look for trainings that they’d like to do that build on their passions and refresh them. Also, I try to ask God’s guidance in all of the decisions we’re making at work, having faith that God knows so much better than I! And, I love thinking creatively and outside the box, so encourage our team to do the same. We’ve come up with some fun policies that get the job done in new ways!
I love it Jenny! Yes, your love of learning is evident. I know you are a woman of prayer who seeks God’s wisdom in all you do. It is evident in your life. May the Lord continue to guide you. Clearly I love thinking creatively as well. I am glad we have opportunities to encourage one another and build each other up!
Becca – THIS: “As a woman in ministry, I am learning what it looks like to lead out of my strengths. I am leaning into who Christ made me to be and finding that what I have to offer is vastly different than my male counterparts, but no less needed or valuable.”
I love that you bring your personality, passion and perspective to what you write and share in our cohort. And I LOVE your use of Mulan to explore Northouse’s book. There is so much freedom that comes when we step fully into who God created us to be and connect with others from that authentic place of self. What has helped you gain the confidence to do this in your ministry context?
Thank you Laura. I would say that my confidence has grown in listening to the right voices – the voices that speak Truth to me instead of lies, especially my husband. For far too long I listened to the negative criticism of my mother. My mother told me all the things I am not. My husband tells me all the things I can be and all the things I am now. He encourages me and uplifts me consistently and helps me to soar.
I am glad you can use your love for Disney as a way of teaching. Like Mulan when have you had a challenge leading because you were a girl?
Thank you Shonell, I think my hardest challenge was to overcome my own thinking. I took a spiritual gifts test in high school and my result was “pastor.” I remember thinking “Pastor’s Wife.” I found this sheet shortly after I got my pastoral license and it made such an impact on me. In high school, it did not occur to me that I would be the pastor. My husband has been a huge support and encouragement for me in my growth as a leader.
Never did a blog read so easily. Somehow you managed to execute the most perfect blog with both your love of Disney and this great leadership book.
What is the number one similarity between you and Mulan?
Wow, thank you Alana! I would say my number one similarity with Mulan is my ability to improvise. I call myself the queen of improvisation. I love how she uses ingenuity and creativity to come up with solutions.
Becca,
I am reading your post again as I do research for my syntopical essay,
I like this! Id love to hear more of what you think on this:
Northouse suggests, “Individuals emerge as leaders in the group when they become most like the group prototype.”[6]
I know you are doing your research on mental health/those in the pastorate. I am curious how you would apply this quote to your NPO?