Leadership Lessons from Harry Potter, Dumbledore, and the Wizarding World
My hubby and I love movie marathons. Recently, we watched all eight Harry Potter movies. I’ve read the books and seen the films many times. Re-watching and re-reading your favorites allows you to learn something new each time or see something previously invisible to you. This marathon helped me see the ways we can learn about leadership through the Wizarding World.
Leadership is earned, not taken.
“It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.”
- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Leadership is about what is right, not what is easy or comfortable.
“The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed.”
- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban
Leaders act when no one is looking
“Anything's possible if you've got enough nerve.”
- Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Leaders don’t need to be brilliant. Leaders need to be brave.
“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to our friends.”
- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Leaders must believe in others.
"Every great wizard in history has started out as nothing more than what we are now - students. If they can do it, why not us?"
- Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Young people lead as much as adults. They need to see others like them lead. It’s not leadership by simply giving orders.
“Age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates youth.”
- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Leaders own their mistakes. And they learn from them.
“I make mistakes like the next man. In fact, being--forgive me--rather cleverer than most men, my mistakes tend to be correspondingly huger.”
- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Leaders recognize they can’t succeed without the help of others.
“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”
- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
“We can't choose our fate, but we can choose others. Be careful in knowing that.”
- Albud Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Leaders tell the truth and do what’s right – even when it’s not comfortable or convenient.
“The truth." Dumbledore sighed. "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution.”
- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
“Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort.
- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Leaders know friendship and community is a strength, not a weakness.
“You're the one who is weak. You will never know love or friendship. And I feel sorry for you.”
- Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Leaders are everywhere. They don’t always hold rank or have a title. You only need to observe the quiet actions of others to see their true leadership abilities.
Where do you find unexpected leadership lessons?