What does it matter? It is in the past!

I love this clip from Disney's The Lion King. I love it because, as a consultant and a leader, I have often encountered what I call "History Professors." These are the people, and we've all met them, that always judge their future by their past.

They pontificate about how "we've tried this before and it didn't work" or "Why even try? Nothing ever changes around here!" These are usually seasoned veterans who have "been around the block" and "been there, done that, got a T-shirt and a souvenir mug." They can easily de-rail a project or a meeting, and often take a sort of twisted glee from doing so.

How to deal with them? Easy. Be prepared for them.

I love this clip because most people have seen it and when I relate it to them, it often makes them smile when they take a minute to reflect and try to see things a different way. At the very least, it breaks the tension and allows a moment to consider the future....to consider what good might come from our project or meeting.

As Rafiki says: "Yes. The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it....or learn from it."

So, all you Simbas out there....What are YOU going to do?