Skipper, “Master Leader of the Madagascar Penguins”

Posted by Tony Scelzo in Big Ideas, Featured Articles on November 3rd, 2009 | one response

My daughters, 2 and 4, love cartoons as all toddlers do. Unfortunately, Daddy can usually only stomach about 45 minutes at a time, with the exception of, of course, anything with Madagascar in the title. Whether it is the genius of the Madagascar 2 or the Madagascar penguins, I not only stomach it but laugh out loud. (Which if you know me is not too big a feat.)

I think the Skipper, head Penguin, is a master leader for multiple reasons:

1) He has a bold captain T Kirk through back brashness, a hair trigger wit, and an endearing fondness for his team.

2) He is indomitable in his goals and incredibly demanding on his penguins. They all believe that together, they can accomplish anything…from building an airplane out of salvaged jeep parts in the middle of the desert to rescuing damsels in distress. They are not deterred by their lack of resources whether in the zoo or absent of opposing thumbs. They are all about accomplishing whatever they do… whatever it takes.

3) They are diverse in their talents and appreciative of each other’s resources. In many ways they make up a perfect team because whatever they are doing, they enjoy the ride.

Skipper, Private, Kowalski, Rico have much to teach us.

Larry is Kowalski.