A BUG’S LIFE REFLECTION PAPER 1

A Bug’s Life Reflection Paper

As a child I watched the movie A Bug’s Life and simply thought it was a fun kid’s movie

about bugs. However, now watching it again after all these years it has become apparent to me

there is so much more to the movie than meets the eyes. There are many valuable underlying

leadership lessons that can be learned from the story. One of the key lessons that is exemplified

throughout the entire movie is to never give up. That may sound generic and slightly on the

cheesy side, but it holds a lot of worth, especially when being a leader. Another key lesson taught

in the movie is that as a leader you sometimes have to go against the grain. People get stuck in

old ideas and as a leader you need to know when to stand up for what’s best, even if it’s outside

popular opinion. One more key leadership lesson that was demonstrated in this movie was that

no matter what your age or title is, you can still be a great leader.

All of these leadership elements came into play largely because of the major key

stakeholders in the movie. These key stakeholders were collecting enough food, getting other

bugs to help them with the grasshoppers, and to come up with a way to stop the grasshoppers.

These stakeholders help the ants over the course of the movie because it forces them to challenge

the old system and to stand up for what’s right. However, with stakeholders comes ethical

dilemmas. Some of these dilemmas are collecting food for the grasshoppers and still having

enough for themselves, and not knowing if they have the ability to stand against the

grasshoppers. With the food problem, Princess Atta tried to get everyone to collect as much as

they could without leaving them to starve. On the other end, Flint addressed the dilemma by

searching for outside help and just not collecting food for the grasshoppers at all anymore. Flint

also addressed the second dilemma by deciding what was more important, simply trying to

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 A BUG’S LIFE REFLECTION PAPER 2

survive or taking the risk and living. He decided the cause for their freedom was worth it all and

chose to do everything he could to win it.

Throughout the movie there are different leadership roles created. There are clear

leadership roles with The Queen, Princess Atta, and Hopper. Their roles are to give direction and

to keep order, and those role were created by a type of hierarchy they had. They have the

credibility because they have the title and they act according to it. However, with Princess Atta,

she established her leadership by striving to earn everyone’s respect and constantly trying to do

what was best for everyone. She especially established her leadership though when she chose to

stand up for Flik against the grasshoppers. With the leaders like Flik and Dot, their leadership

roles aren’t quite as clear because they aren’t laid out and given to them. These characters’ roles

are to challenge and inspire their people. They created these leadership positions themselves by

stepping up and taking action. They establish their credibility by taking a stand and showing

everyone they will do whatever it takes to accomplish their goals.

Not only do they all show different kind of leadership roles, but they show different

leadership styles as well. Flik shows an innovator and servant type of leadership by thinking

outside the box and serving his people by sacrificing his own safety for theirs. Additionally, he

exemplifies leadership qualities such as creativity, bravery, and commitment. These qualities’ are

driven by the values he holds on to throughout the movie, which are believing that the ants have

worth and have the right to actually live rather than merely survive. Dot portrays the style of

covert leadership, meaning she has no title. Even though she’s the youngest and smallest, she’s a

leader because of her qualities and character. On the opposite end, Hopper shows an autocratic or

dictator style of leadership. He makes all the decisions and doesn’t care what other people think

about them.

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 A BUG’S LIFE REFLECTION PAPER 3

There’s a quote by the famous Thomas Edison that says “When you think you’ve

exhausted all possibilities, remember this; you haven’t”. This is exemplified throughout the

movie by many of the characters. Flik demonstrates this more than anyone with things like his

harvesting machine, getting the idea to get help, and coming up with creating a fake bird.

Princess Atta shows this idea as well by continuing to try and fix their food situation even when

it seems like it’s impossible. Hopper even displays this by thinking outside of just having enough

food, but realizing that the ants could use their numbers to overpower the grasshoppers. The

Queen also exhibits this behavior by being open to new possibilities, along with The Warrior

Bugs who are constantly being innovative with their escapes. Lastly, Dot exemplifies this idea by

being the only one to believe in Flik and going to get him and The Warrior Bugs to try and do

something when the grasshoppers start taking over.

All of these leadership lessons, roles, styles, and qualities can be applied to being a leader

in real life. When you lead or take part in an organization you can apply the lessons from this

movie by being willing to take a stand for what is right and enacting change. If something you’re

a part of isn’t upholding its said values, be like Flik and question those things and stand behind

your core values. No matter the title or position you have, you can be establish leadership

through your character and actions.

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 A BUG’S LIFE REFLECTION PAPER 4

References

Lasseter, J., & Stanton, A. (Directors), & Stanton, A., McEnery, D., Shaw, B., Foley, D., Spacey,

K., Louis-Dreyfus, J., . . . Rocco, A. (Writers). (1998). A bug's life [Motion picture on

DVD]. United States: Buena Vista.

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 A BUG’S LIFE REFLECTION PAPER 5

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