December 5th, 1901, saw the birth of Walter “Walt” Disney, a man who would give life to not only the world’s most popular animated media company but also a legacy that would inspire and encapsulate magic for generations of children, adults, and families across the globe.
During his legendary 43-year Hollywood career, which spanned the development of the motion picture medium as a modern American art, he firmly established himself and his brand as a genuine part of Americana.
Walt was a pioneer and an innovator, possessing one of the most fertile imaginations the world has ever known. He revolutionized the way the world experienced stories and, by extension, life itself.
He and his staff members collectively received more than 950 honors and citations from around the world, including 48 Academy Awards® and 7 Emmys® in his lifetime.
On a personal level, he received honorary degrees from Harvard, Yale, the University of Southern California, and UCLA, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, France’s Legion of Honor and Officer d’Academie decorations, Thailand’s Order of the Crown, Brazil’s Order of the Southern Cross. Mexico’s Order of the Aztec Eagle and the Showman of the World Award from the National Association of Theatre Owners.
Beyond contributing to the birth of thousands of beloved characters and hundreds of timeless franchises, as the founder of Disneyland and Walt Disney World, he also created two enchanted theme parks. The former affectionately known as the “happiest place on Earth,” his parks, his characters, and the magic behind them have captured hearts and ignited imaginations for decades.
When distilling a founder’s original genius, I typically dig into their background, beliefs, and big ideas to unearth their incomparable qualities as leaders.
But with someone as extraordinary as Walt Disney, who has effectively shaped most of our childhoods in one way or another, how can you distill so much dedication, genius, and magic into just one model?
The Most Magical Model On Earth
The simple truth is… all that’s required are three circles:
These shapes alone and the character they conjure serve as the model and vessel of expressive meaning for Walt Disney, his work, and his legacy.
Having been featured in over 130 films and honored as the first cartoon character to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 1978, this model represents none other than the iconic face of Mickey (originally Mortimer) Mouse.
Mickey Mouse represents, through a character, everything that Walt Disney wanted to portray to his audience, including happiness, indomitable optimism, childhood innocence and joy, American ingenuity, magic, friendship, wonder, the permission to dream, and the aspirational promise that with enough imagination and hard work, those dreams could come true.
Influence Beyond Imagination
But beyond the revered rodent’s esoteric and emotional symbolism, how he is effectively embodied and kept at the heart of the Walt Disney Company truly codifies him as a timeless role model for the world’s second-largest media conglomerate.
Here are just a few of the ways in which they do this, taken from each primary category of my Genius Model:
Who – Philosophy: Walt Disney’s philosophy is centered around the boundless power of our dreams and their capacity, through our imagination and ingenuity, to shape the world around us profoundly. Walt once said, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” This illustrates Walt’s relentless imagination, which shone as a beacon for himself and millions of inspired creators worldwide.
What – Contribution: Disney pioneered in his industry by becoming the first to create a full-color cartoon (Flowers & Trees), the first animated feature (Snow White), the first television series created by a major movie producer (The Disneyland Story), and the first theme park with distinct “lands” visitors could experience (Disneyland).
These continuous “firsts” cemented Disney and its brand as one that would continuously push for more, dreaming of experiences of tomorrow, today, and inspiring millions of hearts and minds in the process.
How – Delivery: Disney’s company values are not only clear to see in the way the brand communicates its message, but in what Mickey Mouse himself symbolizes. According to Disney Careers, their company values are:
Optimism: Disney’s workplace culture encourages creativity, curiosity, and creative expression in its media, messaging, and every movement, all with the collective aim of fostering a positive and inclusive environment.
Innovation: With Walt Disney’s myriad of innovations in pioneering much of what we see today in the modern animation industry, his life and legacy serve as a testament to his innovative entrepreneurial spirit.
Decency: With a family-oriented business focus, Disney motivates its employees always to treat customers with the utmost respect and kindness, leading to the excellent positive reputation linked to their brand image.
Quality: Disney’s organizational culture reinforces the high quality of entertainment services at the company’s parks and resorts, motivating workers to enhance their behaviors for excellence continuously.
Community: By empowering their employees to view themselves as a part of a larger team, they feel a part of a movement with Disney larger than themselves, resulting in higher employee satisfaction and performance.
Storytelling: Especially in the theme parks, Disney’s primary focus is to leave visitors with an experience that they will not only remember but one that they will never forget through the curation of personal experiences and magical moments.
Happily Ever After
The model of Mickey Mouse and the grander Walt Disney brand is one that can be traced through every facet of the organization, making Disney one of the most effectively aligned examples of sustained original genius to ever exist.
From the cartoons, to the theme parks and everything in between, the iconic circular face with those two round ears stand with a significance far outstretching its simplicity.
For generations past and generations to come across the collective global consciousness, Mickey Mouse stands as a powerful and pervasive model, not only for Disney, but for the children, the dreamers, and magic inside of us all.
Ready to turn your original genius into a magical force for global good? Join my weekly newsletter to learn more about my Models Method or apply to work with me to discover how you and I can partner together to make your wildest entrepreneurial dreams come true.
PHOTO CREDITS: Photo courtesy Orange County Archives.
