MONDAY MUSINGS SEASON 2 - EPISODE 318

16th June 2025

#Resilience

My sincere condolence to those perished in the tragic crash of Air India AI171 on 12th June 2025 and I pray the Almighty to give courage and strength to the families of those who died in the crash.

Sorry for the delay in posting this episode, the delay is because of travel and hectic official work during the weekend.

Fight for the sake of duty, treating alike happiness and distress, loss and gain, victory and defeat. Fulfilling your responsibility in this way, you will never incur sin. (Bhagavad Gita 2.38)

#DifferenceBetweenResilienceAndFailure

Resilience is different from failure though connected. Resilience is a trait, and failure is an event and resilience as a trait helps us to cope with failures. The good news is that resilience as a trait can be developed which means you can develop your abilities to cope with failures.

I stopped the last episode of #MondayMusings mentioning the story of amazing resilience shown by iconic Walt Disney. Walt Disney is a name synonymous with imagination, innovation, and leadership. He built one of the most recognizable brands in the world and fundamentally transformed the entertainment industry. But Disney’s story wasn’t one of instant success nor that of inherited wealth. It’s a story of persistence, risk-taking, and visionary leadership.

Growing Up on the Farm

Walt Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois, the fourth son of Elias and Flora Disney. The family moved to a farm in Marceline, Missouri, when Walt was just four years old. Life on the farm was not easy, and Walt’s father struggled to make ends meet. Despite the financial difficulties, Marceline became a source of inspiration for Walt. The small-town charm, the sense of community, and the surrounding nature would later influence his creative work, especially in films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the design of Disneyland. (Inspiration can come from any situation).

Walt showed a strong interest in drawing from a young age. He would sketch animals and the countryside, and his talent was apparent early on. Despite the financial struggles of his family, they encouraged his artistic ambitions. Walt’s mother bought him drawing supplies, and his neighbours paid him small amounts to draw their horses and other animals.

A Move to the City

Disney family moved again, this time to Kansas City when Walt was 16 years old, where Walt attended high school. However, the family’s financial difficulties continued, and Walt, along with his brother Roy, took on various odd jobs to help support the household. During this time, Walt discovered his love for animation, drawing cartoons for his school newspaper and attending art classes at the Kansas City Art Institute.

Coping with the failure of Laugh-O-Gram

After briefly serving as an ambulance driver in World War I, Walt returned to Kansas City with a clear goal—to work in the animation industry. Alongside a colleague, Ub Iwerks, Walt founded Laugh-O-Gram Studio in 1921. The company specialized in short, animated films that played before main features in local theaters. Though the content was innovative, Laugh-O-Gram struggled financially. Within two years, the studio went bankrupt, and Walt was left with nothing but a suitcase, some clothes, and his relentless ambition.

While the bankruptcy was devastating, it taught him valuable lessons about leadership, perseverance, and the importance of financial management. (Each failure is a lesson for future success.)

Success finally, but short-lived

Walt moved to Hollywood, California when he was 22, with his brother Roy. With little more than $40 to their name, the brothers started the Disney Brothers Studio, which would later become The Walt Disney Company. Early successes came with the creation of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a character that gained popularity. However, in 1928, Walt lost the rights to Oswald due to a legal dispute with his distributor. It was a harsh reminder of how fragile success could be (Mindful of dualities of life, success and failure).

Not one to be discouraged, Walt quickly got to work on creating a new character. This led to the birth of Mickey Mouse. The first Mickey cartoon, Steamboat Willie (1928), was groundbreaking as it was one of the first animations to use synchronized sound. Mickey quickly became a cultural phenomenon, and Walt’s career took off. Mickey’s cheerful personality and timeless charm became the foundation of Disney’s growing empire, symbolizing Walt’s optimism, creativity, and leadership.

The First Full-Length Animated Film: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Walt Disney’s leadership style was defined by his relentless pursuit of innovation and his willingness to take risks. Perhaps the greatest example of this was his decision to create the world’s first full-length animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. At the time, many industry insiders believed that audiences would not sit through a feature-length cartoon, labeling the project “Disney’s Folly.” Undeterred, Walt pressed forward, investing $1.5 million (a massive sum in the 1930s) into the production. (Believe in your vision)

When Snow White was released in 1937, it was an instant success, earning over $8 million (equivalent to more than $150 million today) during the Great Depression. The film not only broke box office records but also earned Walt Disney a special Academy Award.

Expanding the Disney Brand: Animated Classics

Disney continued to push the boundaries of animation, producing a series of iconic films that remain beloved today. Pinocchio (1940), Fantasia (1940), Dumbo (1941), and Bambi (1942) are just a few examples of how Disney consistently innovated.

Even though each of these films faced production challenges—whether due to financial difficulties, wartime disruptions, or technical complexities—Walt’s ability to inspire his team and push through adversity led to the creation of timeless cinematic experiences.

Building Disneyland

In the 1950s, Walt Disney turned his attention to the creation of Disneyland. Walt had always dreamed of building a theme park where families could experience magic and adventure together.

Many industry experts were skeptical though, thinking Walt was taking too big a risk. But, as with all his bold ideas, Walt’s vision prevailed. Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955, to widespread acclaim.

Leadership and Attention to Detail

One of the key aspects of Walt Disney’s leadership was his attention to detail. Walt was involved in every aspect of Disneyland’s development, from the design of the rides to the layout of Main Street, USA. He believed that the “magic” was in the details, and that if everything was meticulously designed and executed, guests would truly feel transported to another world. This attention to detail, combined with his forward-thinking leadership, is what made Disneyland a revolutionary success.

Walt also ensured that his employees, known as "cast members," understood the importance of maintaining a high standard of service and cleanliness. His leadership wasn’t just about creativity; it was also about creating an environment where everyone, from employees to guests, felt valued and inspired. (Attention to Details and Customer Delight are two key leadership lessons from Walt Disney).

Compiled from https://www.wilsonluna.com/post/walt-disney-story

There are lots of positive news this week but the coverage of positive news will resume from the next episode.

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Conceived, compiled and posted as a weekly inspirational newsletter #MondayMusings every monday by Jaganathan T (www.authorjaganathan.com).

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PROMOTIONS