Leadership at Pixar

Entertainment Weekly featured Jon Lasseter, co-founder and chief creative officer of Pixar (and now chief creative officer for Disney animation), as one of its top entertainers of the past decade (2000-2009). Pixar is arguably the most successful filmmaking studio in Hollywood history, having repeatedly produced critically-acclaimed box office successes, amounting to 25 Oscar nominations and $4.1 billion worldwide in just the last ten years alone.

As the heart of this incredible company, Lasseter is an example of great leadership. He sets the bar high, not settling for anything less than the best, but he knows how to work as a team to achieve greatness. "It doesn't matter whose idea it is, the idea that makes the movie better is always used," he says. Plus, he believes in people, both his own team and the audience. "Oftentimes, it feels like Hollywood thinks of the audience as the lowest common denominator," says Lasseter. "We always think that the audience is so smart they'll be there for you - especially kids." Perhaps the best indication that Lasseter is a team player is the fact that he doesn't single himself out - he talks about his team as such, with the word "we."

Creating teamwork, fostering innovation, raising the bar, putting the work ahead of personal interest, having faith in others, and striving for the best. Sounds like a winning combination.