Learning Leadership From Sailor Moon

May I remind you that you're a superhero?

Have you ever really thought about what it means to be a leader?

I used to have a patriarchal view of leadership; one that defined leaders as those that were male, dominant, controlling and extroverted.

In my defence, these were the images I and many others got exposed to in the media.

Adult life started to subvert this perception with the way in which I perceived the media around me propelling this subversion.

The tipping point came from one fictional character - Sailor Moon.

At first, I thought she was a kickass superhero. Now, I see her as a damn good leader.

For those that aren't too familiar with Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts, here are 107 Sailor Moon facts to get you started.

So, what is so great about the leader of the Sailor Senshi?

She is an incredibly flawed superhero

Sailor Moon is impulsive, driven heavily by emotion over rationality through everyday life.

She does not fit the patriarchal mould of leadership. She is female. She cries, a lot. She is the shortest Sailor Scout. She is not the smartest. She is not the bravest. She is not the fastest. In fact, she is not really any -est.

When we first meet her, she is late for school (again). She fails her exams and has no self-control when it comes to food.

During her first fight scene, she is too scared to fight back and immediately cries.

Her flaws show her vulnerability. Exposing vulnerability is a sign of strength, not weakness. It shows courage and builds an authentic perception of who you are. It shows that you cannot go it alone and that you rely just as much on your team as your team relies on you.

Throughout the series, her leadership is challenged by Sailor Mars who attempts to usurp her, believing she is unfit to lead. Despite their bickering, her leadership remains. The Scouts recognise that they are stronger together than divided. The one that keeps the togetherness is Sailor Moon.

As she takes on new enemies alongside the Sailor Scouts, Sailor Moon grows as a leader. Eventually overcoming some of her flaws, she matures as a warrior. Some of the things that may inhibit us as leaders we can overcome, others should not have been considered flaws to begin.

Her Scouts share her vision

A vision "represents who you are and what you stand for." It enables us to see a future, "inspires you, and the people whose commitment you need."

Her vision, which most of you may be familiar with, is to "right wrongs and triumph over evil." She fights on behalf of the moon, love, and justice. She and the Sailor Scouts fight to bring peace to Earth.

Likewise, her counterparts chant similar introduction phrases:

Sailor Venus: Allow me to punish you with the power of love

Sailor Mercury: Agent of Love and Intelligence, the pretty sailor suited soldier, Sailor Mercury! 

Sailor Mars: Agent of Love and Fire, the pretty sailor suited soldier Sailor Mars! 

Sailor Jupiter: Agent of Love and Courage, the pretty sailor suited soldier Sailor Jupiter!

She fights for her friends, and in turn, they fight for her friendship.

Despite her authority, she never uses it

Sailor Moon is the Princess of the Moon Kingdom, known as Serenity. She is destined to become Neo-Queen Serenity, queen of the Silver Millennium. In their past lives, the other Sailor Scouts held the task of guarding and supporting Sailor Moon.

While her regency overrules the Sailor Scouts, she never uses it to encourage action or following. She builds authentic relationships not with her subjects, but with her friends.

In a moment of desperation, she gives up. Having lost her soul mate to an evil force, she refuses to let her friends fall victim by going after him. What follows is an exchange which is the definition of influence over authority:

Sailor Mini Moon: May I remind you that you're a superhero? Why is it do you think we fight for you?

Sailor Moon: Mental void?

Sailor Jupiter: It's because we value your friendship.

Sailor Venus: Yeah, and friends will always fight on the same side.

Sailor Mercury: Because you brought us together...

She shows compassionate leadership that "begins with the intention to see as others see and feel." She leads through empathy, understanding why someone is thinking and feeling something, taking care of others by reducing his or her suffering. Her leadership stems from compassion for those around her, not authority.

She embraces failure, a lot

Every single one of the Sailor Scouts has failed. Whether it is during their day-to-day lives, or while fighting evil forces from the Negaverse. They lose, a lot; especially when taking on enemies by themselves.

Despite this, Sailor Moon remains resilient. Knowing that alone she may not be powerful enough, she continues to enter battles with enemies. She fails, and she fails often. Over time, she learns how to fight and use her powers to their full capacity.

As she fails, she is pushed to the edge of her life she discovers a deeper level of power.

Her sacrifices are numerous and indiscriminate

In Sailor Moon R - The Movie, Usagi has been defeated. She is atop of an asteroid hurtling towards Earth, surrounded by her wounded Sailor Scouts and enemy, Fiore. To protect those she loves, Sailor Moon unleashes the power of the silver crystal - energy she knows will kill her.

"I will protect all of you, no matter what!", she screams as her energy drains.

The Scouts rise, struggling with the last of their power to join her. To unite and share her burden they kneel before her and lend their power. They each have flashbacks of how Usagi has been selfless and nurturing towards them - from complimenting Sailor Mars' demanding work ethic to showing genuine appreciation and envy towards meeting the legendary Sailor Venus for the first time (irrespective of a hierarchy).

She survives the excessive use of the silver crystal, shattering it in the process. She lives through the challenge only because her Scouts believed in and supported her cause.

She is a team leader and a team member

Sailor Moon starts off her journey as an individual contributor. With the support of her cat companion, Luna, she begins taking on enemies by herself. Admittedly, she is clumsy and scared throughout her battles. She learns to fight and overcome her fears in the name of her vision.

It's not until the eighth episode that the second Sailor Scout (Sailor Mercury) is discovered and episode 33 when the final Inner Senshi (Sailor Venus) joins the group. It's then that Sailor Moon begins solidifying herself as a leader.

Her role develops from one that struggles to deliver every blow, to one that inspires her companions to weaken opponents, while she gives the final devasting attack, turning their enemies to dust.

As we progress through the series, her sacrifices become greater, and the Sailor Scout's reliance on not only her power but what she represents (love and justice), grows.

Her own kind of princess...

For dedicated Sailor Moon fans, we see her transform into Neo-Queen Serenity. Throughout her journey, she overcomes her flaws, sacrificing herself endlessly while influencing a team of superheroes to fight for her vision.

And she does it her way.

I'll leave you with one last quote.

"I'm going to aim to be my own kind of princess."

Atta girl!

--

Sailor Moon Quick Guide:

* Sailor Senshi - the Japanese term referencing the main protagonist female warriors (also known as Sailor Scouts).

* Sailor Scout - the Western term referencing the main protagonist female warriors.

* Negaverse - an evil universe ruled by Queen Beryl and the Negaforce.

* Usagi - Sailor Moon's human identity

* Inner Senshi - the five Sailor Scouts that are part of the inner solar system (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Moon)