What Can Pixar Teach Us About Leadership And Change?

In the world of leadership, change is inevitable—but how we handle it defines whether our teams grow or crumble. Pixar, the animation studio known for emotional storytelling and innovation, has become an unexpected leadership classroom. Through its films, Pixar teaches us that change isn’t the enemy—it’s the heart of progress.

1. Embrace the Unpredictable

In Ratatouille, Remy the rat dreams of becoming a chef in a world that refuses to see past his species. His line, “The only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability,” captures a core truth about leadership: the best leaders don’t just survive uncertainty—they thrive in it.

Research from Harvard Business Review shows that leaders who embrace change and guide their teams through uncertainty outperform those who cling to “the way things have always been.” These leaders stay flexible, encourage creativity, and foster resilience when plans inevitably shift.

2. Communicate a Clear Vision

In Monsters, Inc., Sulley and Mike discover that laughter is more powerful than screams—a complete rewrite of how their company operates. What keeps their organization from falling apart during this massive shift? Clear communication of vision and purpose.

Similarly, a study by the O.C. Tanner Institute found that when leaders articulate why change is happening—and how each person contributes—employees are three times more likely to stay engaged and committed. Without that clarity, uncertainty breeds fear. With it, uncertainty becomes opportunity.

3. Involve Your Team in the Journey

Pixar’s Cars shows Lightning McQueen learning that success isn’t about racing alone—it’s about collaboration and growth. When leaders involve employees in shaping new directions, it builds ownership and trust. This approach aligns with change management studies showing that participation in decision-making significantly reduces resistance and burnout.

Involving your team also encourages innovation. Pixar itself is famous for “Braintrust meetings,” where directors and writers give open, candid feedback on each other’s projects. This inclusive process not only improves films but also builds psychological safety—a key ingredient for adaptive, innovative cultures.

4. Support Through the Transition

Change can be uncomfortable—even exciting change. In The Incredibles, Mr. Incredible struggles to adjust to family life after his superhero days. Leaders often face the same emotional challenge: letting go of what once worked to make room for something new.

Great leaders don’t just demand adaptation; they support it. That might mean training, mentorship, or simply empathy during turbulent transitions. When employees feel supported, they’re more willing to take risks, experiment, and ultimately help the organization evolve.

Pixar’s worlds remind us that change is not chaos—it’s creativity in motion. Whether you’re leading a corporate team, a nonprofit, or a classroom, the principles remain the same: embrace unpredictability, communicate clearly, involve your people, and support them through transformation.

Because, as Remy would say, life—and leadership—are full of surprises. The leaders who welcome them are the ones who inspire others to do the same.