The Lessons I learned From Mufasa
How Mufasa's Journey Can Strengthen Your Role as a Leader.
My People,
It was the late 1990’s. Sitting on the living room's dark orange shag carpet, in my tighty whities and white t-shirt, I stared up at the TV in amazement. Popcorn scattered across my metal Ninja Turtles TV tray, propped open just enough for me to scoot my thick legs underneath. (They’ve always been thick.) And there it was: The Lion King. I don’t know what first caught my eye—James Earl Jones’ roaring voice filling the room, the infectious rhythms that made me bounce along with Simba, or the vivid, captivating colors that lit up the screen. Whatever it was, I was hooked. From that day on, Pride Rock took its place at the very top of my movie list.
Don’t get me wrong, other movies have come close. Black Panther and Avatar 2 deserve honorable mentions. But no matter how many films I see, I always find myself coming back to The Lion King.
What makes a great movie truly special is how it grows with you. The storyline doesn’t change. Sure, the format evolves—from VHS to DVD to Blu-ray to streaming—but nothing is taken away. Instead, you grow. And as you progress through the chapters of your life, your favorite movie reveals new meanings, new lessons. What you take away at each stage is something you might not have been ready to understand in the last.
From the days of sitting in my little white undies to adulthood, stretched out on the sofa in Hanes, The Lion King has carried me through pivotal moments in my life. In this chapter, it’s become clear that The Lion King isn’t just a timeless story—it’s one of the greatest leadership lessons of all time, thanks to Mufasa.
In two days, we’ll all witness the backstory of how this golden-maned king rose to the throne. I’d venture to say we probably won’t agree with every decision he made—and that’s what makes it so fitting. Leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s about learning. Here are three lessons we can take from Mufasa:
1. Listening Gets You Further Than Talking
This is the most important lesson, and I’m starting with it for a reason. Too often, leaders are recognized for their voices, but they grow as leaders because of what they hear. Throughout the movie, Mufasa shares the wisdom he’s gathered on his journey with Simba—lessons born not just from experience, but from listening.
Think of that pivotal scene on Pride Rock, where Mufasa looks out over the grasslands and teaches Simba about the Circle of Life. It’s a moment that reminds us to listen more than we speak. And it’s not until Simba begins to truly listen—to Rafiki, to Nala—that he understands his rightful place as king. Great leaders know that listening is what unlocks growth.
2. Teach and Mentor Early
One of the most impactful lessons for any leader is to find mentees early in your journey. I recently listened to an interview with Aaron Pierre, the new voice of Mufasa, who shared how James Earl Jones mentored him from a distance. James’ guidance and presence laid the path for Aaron to step into the role while honoring the legend before him.
Mufasa does the same with Simba. From a very young age, he teaches Simba what it takes to thrive as king. Sure, it takes Simba time to grasp those lessons, but those early teachings stay with him. And when the moment finally comes, he steps into his role with clarity and purpose.
Mentorship isn’t about immediate results—it’s about planting seeds that will grow over time.
3. Remember Who You Are
Come on, you didn’t think I’d skip this iconic line, did you? When Mufasa returns in spirit form to help Simba, those words echo through the screen like they’re meant for you: “Remember who you are.” Because they are.
Great leaders possess a deep self-awareness. They know their strengths, their weaknesses, and their purpose. They understand their origin story—why they lead and what they’re here to do. That kind of awareness gives you the confidence to fill roles that may feel too big at first. And it reminds you that growth never stops.
BONUS: “You Deliberately Disobeyed Me”
This line doesn’t get the attention it deserves, but it’s one of Mufasa’s most powerful moments. When he reprimands Simba with these words, it’s chilling—like he’s speaking directly to you. But there’s a valuable lesson here: great leaders know how to give feedback that counts.
Mufasa’s approach is simple:
Address the issue head-on, both personally (how it made you feel) and professionally (its impact on the larger team).
Once the lesson is learned, let it go.
We see this beautifully when Mufasa, after teaching Simba the gravity of his mistake, softens and plays with him in the meadow under the stars. It’s a moment of love, trust, and connection—hallmarks of a great leader.
Whether or not you’re excited to see Mufasa’s backstory, these lessons should inspire you to excel in your role as a leader as we approach the new year. This time of year always brings a chance to reflect.
So, I ask you: what are the lessons you’ve learned that you can pass on to your team members and mentees? Reflect, share, and grow—because, as Mufasa shows us, leadership isn’t just about where you’ve been. It’s about the legacy you leave behind.
Love Y’all For Free,
- Mario Jovan