When I first read Animal Farm by George Orwell, I was a wide-eyed student who thought it was a quirky little story about talking animals. Little did I know, I was about to get a masterclass in leadership (and a warning about what not to do).
Here’s my personal takeaway:
The pigs, especially Napoleon, taught me a valuable lesson about leadership gone wrong: power without principles is a disaster waiting to happen. Napoleon started as one of the “comrades,” promising equality and prosperity for all. But as soon as he got a taste of power (and the farmer’s whiskey), his leadership morphed into something far less noble. Lesson one: don’t let power turn you into a pig.
In my own life, I’ve seen how even small-scale leadership, whether organizing a school project, running a food bank, or managing a team, can tempt you to prioritize yourself over the group. (I mean, who doesn’t want the biggest slice of the cake they brought to the meeting?) But Animal Farm reminds me to stay grounded. Leadership is about lifting others up, not climbing on their backs to sit in the “big chair.”
Another thing: Boxer, the hardworking horse, broke my heart. “I will work harder” became his mantra until it ultimately broke him. I’ve definitely been in Boxer’s shoes or hooves. In my early career, I thought working non-stop was the way to success. Spoiler: it wasn’t. I burned out faster than Snowball fleeing Napoleon’s dogs. Lesson two: hard work is great, but smart work is better and self-care matters.
Finally, the sheep’s blind “four legs good, two legs bad” chanting taught me the importance of critical thinking. Good leadership thrives on collaboration and thoughtful challenges, not on followers who blindly agree. In any team I lead, I encourage people to question ideas (even mine). That way, no one’s walking into the metaphorical barn to find “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
So, the next time you feel like channeling your inner Napoleon, remember this: lead with integrity, think critically, and don’t forget to pour yourself a drink of water instead of whiskey. Your team will thank you and you won’t wake up wondering why everyone’s comparing you to a pig.