Unlearning Toy Story

The UnlearnT Podcast

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We explore leadership lessons from Pixar's Toy Story in this episode of our Summer Movies series, examining how disruption and change affect team dynamics and leadership development.
• Teams typically go through four developmental stages: forming, storming, norming, and performing
• Disruption (like Buzz arriving) moves teams from norming back to storming - a necessary part of growth
• Leaders must avoid seeing talented newcomers as threats rather than assets
• The developmental leader framework shows four stages: enthusiastic beginner, disillusioned learner, capable but cautious performer, and self-reliant achiever
• Leadership development is cyclical - we go through these stages repeatedly with different skills and challenges
• Middle adults should consider if they've neglected personal growth while focusing on career development
• Being willing to become a beginner again in some area of life can foster growth and joy
• True leadership influence comes when focused on building others up, not just delivering "truth"
• The journey from potential to greatness often leads back to potential in new areas
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Chapters

1. Summer Movie Series Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Team Dynamics in Toy Story (00:05:42)

3. Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing (00:18:43)

4. Woody's Leadership Crisis (00:34:17)

5. Developmental Leader Framework (00:50:25)

6. From Enthusiastic Beginners to Disillusioned Learners (01:04:22)

7. Capable but Cautious Performers (01:16:00)

8. Self-Reliant Achievers and Continuous Growth (01:20:40)