Leadership Lessons from the Movie 'Barbie'

Have you ever been to something that had been talked about and hyped up so much that by the time you actually got to experience it, it just didn’t live up to the expectation? I definitely have — and thankfully, this was not one of those times.

I didn’t have Barbies growing up. The closest I got was a teddy bear I named Jessica (she had excellent fashion sense, if I do say so myself). I did buy Barbie for my daughter – and, well… she was the kid who turned her into ‘Weird Barbie’ after cutting her hair off and drawing all over her face.

Regardless, I loved the movie. There were so many moments and lines that resonated – clearly, America Ferrera’s whole monologue for starters – that made me laugh out loud, cry (all the montage scenes… every single one), and poke my husband in recognition during the Duolingo and guitar-playing scenes. Some moments were just fun, others landed a little too close to home, and a few I want to go back and sit with again.

That monologue though. The line that hit me the hardest was:

“You have to be extraordinary, but somehow you’re always doing it wrong.”

It captures so perfectly what it can feel like to be a woman in leadership – trying to be competent but not cold, confident but not arrogant, caring but not emotional, decisive but not bossy. It’s exhausting trying to find that invisible balance that often only exists in other people’s expectations.

And, of course, being the leadership nerd I am, I couldn’t help but find lessons in it all. Here are a few that stood out to me (don’t worry, no spoilers):

Don’t take your support team for granted (aka Ken).
Whether at work or at home, none of us leads in isolation. Forgetting that isn’t just unkind – it’s unsustainable. Great leaders know that their success is built on collaboration, acknowledgment, and shared purpose.

Speak up, even when you’re scared.
Like America Ferrera’s character, sometimes leadership means being the one to say what everyone else is thinking but no one else is brave enough to voice. Not every idea will land perfectly, but courage has a ripple effect. One person’s voice can unlock a dozen others.

Surround yourself with smart, capable women.
One of my favourite parts of the movie was watching how the Barbies rallied around each other. They reminded one another of their worth and brilliance when things went off track. That’s what real leadership – and real sisterhood – looks like.

Own your greatness.
One of the most joyful moments was when the Barbies received compliments or awards and simply said, “I know.” Imagine how the world might change if more women allowed themselves to accept recognition without deflecting it. (And yes, the “I know” cameo in the real world? Chef’s kiss.)

And finally – stay curious.
There’s a subtle but powerful message running through the film about questioning the systems and stories we’ve been told to live by. That’s leadership too – asking, “Why are things this way?” and daring to imagine they could be different.

Barbie may wear pink and live in a dreamhouse, but beneath the glitter there’s a story about identity, equality, and self-acceptance. And as women in leadership, we need those reminders more than ever.

So, I’d love to know – what leadership lessons did you see in the movie? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. (And yes, bonus points if you also poked your partner during the guitar scene.)