Over the weekend I got around to watching a film I have been meaning to see: Fantastic Mr. Fox, a children’s book by Roald Dahl that was turned into a stop-animation movie by director Wes Anderson.   

The concept that resonates with me is the significance and eventual success that results when a team is assembled and given responsibilities based on their individual strengths.  

In the movie, a community of animals battle a team of three farmers from whom Mr. Fox has been stealing chickens and squab and other poultry.  The farmers capture a prized possession of Mr. Fox’s—his tail!  His tail is of the utmost importance to him and he enlists a fleet of his loyal animal compatriots to win it back and wage a war against the farmers.  

The animals are sequestered underground and fumble for resources, inspiration and most importantly, strategy.  They are morally defeated until Mr. Fox reminds each of them that they are wild animals and bring unique strengths.  

Each individual becomes an asset: Mrs. Fox is a talented landscape artist and paints detailed maps for battle; Badger, the demolitions expert, is in charge of weaponry; the rabbits are quick and used for operations where speed is vital; moles can see in the dark for sneaking past watchful guards.  

In the end, (spoiler alert!) the team is successful in bringing home Mr. Fox’s tail.

All of this is a simple reminder: each individual has strengths and brings those to work every day.  These differences can, and should, be applied for the team’s success.

Are you using your strengths daily?  Does your team know what your strengths are and how to best use them?