Leadership Lessons from ‘How to Train Your Dragon’​

“How to Train Your Dragon” is a 2010 animated film which tells the story of Hiccup, a young Viking, for whom dragons are seen as fearsome enemies.

Despite this, Hiccup eventually befriends a dragon named Toothless. Through his journey, Hiccup learns valuable lessons about leadership, teamwork, and the importance of understanding and accepting others.

One of the key themes in “How to Train Your Dragon” is the power of collaboration and teamwork. In the beginning of the film, Hiccup is a loner who is struggling to fit in with his peers and prove himself as a capable warrior. However, as he begins to work with Toothless and other dragons, he learns the value of cooperation and mutual respect.

This message is highly relevant to the business world, where collaboration and teamwork are essential to success.

Another important lesson from “How to Train Your Dragon” is the importance of understanding and acceptance. Throughout the film, Hiccup struggles to understand Toothless and other dragons, and initially sees them as threats to his community. However, as he gets to know Toothless and learns about the dragons’ behavior and needs, he realises that they are not as different from humans as he thought. He comes to see that dragons are intelligent and emotional creatures, and that they can be treated with respect and understanding.

This message is also applicable to the business world, where people can choose to understand and accept their colleagues, peers and customers, regardless of their differences. By creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace culture, companies can foster a sense of belonging and support. This leads to better communication and collaboration, as well as higher levels of morale, productivity and engagement.

In addition to collaboration and understanding, “How to Train Your Dragon” also touches on the importance of leadership and empowerment. Throughout the film, Hiccup takes on a leadership role, guiding Toothless and other dragons in their training and helping them to become more confident and capable. He encourages them to take risks and be independent, and trusts them to make their own decisions.

This type of leadership is conspicuous by its absence in most of the business world. By giving people the freedom to take ownership of their work and explore new ideas, companies can create a culture of innovation and excellence.

Overall, “How to Train Your Dragon” is a powerful and inspiring film that teaches valuable lessons about business culture. By highlighting the importance of collaboration, understanding, and leadership, the film encourages viewers to embrace diversity, communicate effectively, and work together towards a common goal.