The Lion King: Compelling Financial & Economic Lessons
Would you think of gleaning financial and economic lessons from this classic of a movie? I did not think about it that way until some days ago. As I said in some past articles, I went in to see the movie just to humour my kids but it turned out to have a lasting effect on me.
To be upfront I have already compiled notes on social, political and more leadership lessons that I got from the movie. If you see me walking on the road and typing out stuff, it is more likely that I remembered a scene from the movie and I’m taking down a note on my Google Keep. Thank the good Lord for smartphones.
In a movie where there is no money, no central bank and no monetary policy, no cryptocurrency, no stock market; how did one extract the economic lessons from an assembly of animals? Good question. Follow me, I will take you there.
1. Economic Prosperity Is Not A Zero-Sum Game: In Mufasa’s mind, his thought is about catering for Pride Park. If Pride Park is fine, we will all be fine. We will have enough to eat and then expand the boundaries of the kingdom. Scar believes otherwise. Scar feels the strong should take everything. As such, when we win, others should lose. This philosophy breeds disgruntlement in the kingdom.
When countries realise this fact, then they can push the boundaries of what is possible. They will create Venture Capital and Private Equity firms to take advantage of the growth of that society and at the same time find a way to care for the weak and feeble. Since economic prosperity is not a zero-sum game, that means that the gains and losses around the markets in the world does not equal zero. In effect, Mufasa must not die for Scar to be up and doing. They can actually grow together. The moral I am trying to portray here is that for a movement like globalization, one country does not need to be poor for another one to succeed. If that was the case, then China’s prosperity should have impoverished all its neighbours. But that has not been the case.
The challenge for countries is to plug into a move like globalization and play to its strength. That increases the pie for its citizens, improves GDP and other indices thereby building a strong nation and economy.
2. Out of Abundance Comes Abundance: Mufasa propagated this philosophy because he allowed everyone to be. That was the reason he did not have a hoarding mentality. Rather, he ensured there was provision for all concerned. He propagated it by teaching it to the next generation. What Mufasa was focusing on was the mind-set. Have you noticed that those that came from households where they were continually told that money was hard have a very unhealthy relationship with money?
Paul Zane Plizer in his book “God Wants You To Be Rich” reinforces this. He posits that economic and financial success does not come at someone else’s expense: rather, it contributes to the constantly changing resources that we all draw upon. He states that being wealthy is an assignment to flood the earth with ingenious products and services, which is beneficial to all mankind.
Out of abundance, came abundance and what remaineth was abundant. — An Old Proverb
He goes ahead to debunk the scarcity mentality that leads to oppressions, hoarding and negative human emotions. As you can see, this mindset is what drove Scar to jealousy and eventual trickery that led the empire to misery.
3. Balance Is Everything: Without balance, things get skewed. Skews lead to distortions. Distortions lead to imbalance. With imbalance, destruction comes along. This was one thing that Mufasa told Simba about. Things need to be balanced before we can forge ahead. As per money and economic matters, you need to strike a balance between what is the seed for tomorrow’s harvest and bread for today’s food. I wrote about budgeting here:
Life always presents us with a duality, more of a ying-yang, that must be maintained. Remember I talked about budgeting, saving for the future and the 50/30/20 rule. The aim of making that plan is to provide balance as concerning the things that are important to you. You need money to pay for necessities, eventualities, investment and also for your play.
“But savings is more than a commendable habit. It is a personal act of faith…A person who denies current comfort and pleasure for future happiness is demonstrating his or her belief in a destiny that can be controlled and improved.” — Paul Zane Pilzer.
4. Debt Management: How did this come about? There was no scene that money was owed to anyone? Yes that is true. But then if you think about it well, Simba ran away from something. Yes, it was not debt. He owed the kingdom his leadership. That was his job for the kingdom. Most people want to “evaporate” when they are in debt. Most debts are unplanned. They make us uncomfortable and hence we just want to check out. However, that is the worst way to manage debts. You take it face on. I have a YouTube video on Debt management. You can look that up.
In Simba’s dilemma concerning his return to the kingdom, the wise Rafiki advised him thus: “Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.” Debts can hurt but you can either run from them and lose your social capital and soil your name or make an effort to pay back. In fact sometimes the effort you put in can make your creditor forgive the debt. But most importantly, you have to face your debts and make concrete effort to pay them back.
5. The Circle Of Money: Just like in the Lion King. Money has its circle. Mufasa preached the circle of life where — the lions eats the gazelles, and then dies to manure the grass that other gazelles feed on while the sun fuels the circle. Money’s circle is also like that.
As for money, the circle rotates with 4 radii — Make, Manage, Multiply and Ministry. You make money from your job/ entrepreneurship, find ways and means to manage (budgeting) and multiply (investments) and then use the proceeds for good works (ministry). I term that circle “The 4Ms of Money”. Just like surviving in Pride Park is hard, making the most of your economic resources is hard. There is no antidote to it.
6. Hyenas Are Real: While you are at it, know that there are hyenas that want to have your earned money for lunch without putting in any effort. You already know what I am talking about. The hyenas — scammers, Ponzi-schemers, irresponsible friends and family, entitled relatives, storytellers etc — want your money.
“An Elephant Graveyard is no place for a young prince.” ― Scar, tricking Simba
It is your job, like Mufasa, to protect your economic and financial kingdom. You are the one to train and lead your resources as per where they should go. If you don’t; your money might wander like Simba to the Elephant Graveyard. Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed are waiting to have you for lunch. You might not be so lucky to have a Mufasa rescue. It is your job to steer clear of The Elephant Graveyard. It is a full-time job. You have been warned.
7. Plan For The Future: Succession is a way of maintaining what we have with a view of improvement. Mufasa had a plan of who will rule after him. Do you have a money /financial/economic plan ? Saving today is a bold way of saying I believe in my tomorrow. That is what Mufasa did. He did not eat everything in the kingdom even when he had the power and authority to. Investing is hope that what you have planted will grow. Some may, some may not but you have to sow (invest) first. That is part of the plan.
8. Philosophy Matters: I am sure you are now officially tired of hearing about the circle of life. Yes, that was the guiding principle that Mufasa had. What is your money philosophy? What do you believe about money and finances? Those beliefs are lived out daily. If you are not conscious of one, then you should sit down with thyself to create one that is guided by your principles.
9. Enjoy Your Life: Hakuna Matata. There is a time for it. It is blessedness for a man to till the soil and eat of the good of his labour. There is time and money for everything. There is money to be enjoyed. Yes. Plan for it. Simba had his season of Hakuna Matataing but when “the jungle matured”, he knew he had to go home to lead his people. Plan for your enjoyment with your finances. Yes, take time to stay in that hotel you have always loved. Save for it and go make it happen. Infact, you can go to Disney to see Mufasa himself. Who told you he is dead? As long as you have the money to pay and gain access to Disneyland, you will see Mufasa. Trust me. Quote me. When you get to Disney, ask for Mufasa. Tell them I sent you. You will be shown one. Mufasa lives on. Lol
10. Social Welfare: A part of the economic plan of Pride Park was to have enough food to go round. As you already know, Scar did not believe in such nonsense. I am sure he questioned why the weak should even exist. Social welfare, in his books, was for the weak.
As you plan your finances, please make out a place to cater for those that life has beaten down. It might not be the easiest thing to do but it is a learned art. Be compassionate. Meekness is not weakness; it is a trait meant for the strong. Remember the famous Zulu word — UBUNTU — You are because I am. Kindly ubunturise your resources.
Check my other works on “The Lion King ” — The Lion King — My Side Of The Story and 12 Unforgettable Leadership Lessons From The Lion King
You can check other articles I have written on money/finances/ financial intelligence. They are The Money Question 2018 Edition, Saving The Pennies, I’ve Got Money On My Mind, Money & Money Management Skills, 7 Common Money Mistakes and 7 Common Money Mistakes (Part II), 10 Common Money Mistakes (Part III), 8 Money Mistakes (Part IV), Stock Market Investment Basic , Things Not To Do With Money, Yearn…Then Learn To Earn, Find A Financial Mentor, Creating A Budget That Works, 10 Tips For Effective Budgeting, 7 More Tips For Effective Budgeting (Part 2) and The Best Investment Secret Ever
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