When Greta Gerwig’s Barbie hit theaters, and the Women in Restaurant Leadership (WiRL) community brought it to life with their unforgettable welcome reception just over a year ago, few expected it to become a masterclass in modern leadership. But just like hospitality, leadership often hides in plain sight, packaged in unexpected places. The Barbie movie, much like this year’s WiRL Summit in Nashville, invited us to reconsider what leadership really looks like—and what it should feel like.
As a coach and speaker, I view leadership as less about control and more about clarity. That belief resonated throughout both Barbie’s journey and the WiRL event’s most talked-about moment: a glittering, all-pink welcome reception titled “Barbie is Me.”
Here are four overlooked but powerful leadership lessons inspired by Barbie, brought to life by the WiRL community:
1. Ecosystem Imbalance Weakens Everyone
Barbie’s world spirals when Ken upends the power structure. In Barbieland, as in many organizations, imbalance—whether gendered, generational, or positional—leads to dysfunction.
The WiRL Summit addressed this reality directly. Rather than presenting a one-size-fits-all model of leadership, the event embraced voice diversity and designed meaningful interactions. As VP Editorial Director Danny Klein described the summit’s kickoff party: “A Welcome Reception Where Everybody is Perfect.”
From intentionally mixed networking groups to collaborative breakout sessions, the format encouraged attendees to move beyond titles and connect through shared experiences. The underlying message was clear: we all lead better when we replace hierarchy with humility.
Satyne Doner, Associate Editor at WiRL, captured this beautifully: “We didn’t know exactly what we had tapped into at the time, but we knew that real change happens when you create a space to engage others, invite them into the conversation, and make them feel like they’re part of something bigger.”
Coaching Application: Great leaders design balanced environments. Instead of dominating the room, focus on making room for others.
2. Plastic Perfection Hides Real Potential
The film reminds us that chasing perfection can block personal power. Leadership isn’t about appearances. It’s about authenticity.
Inclusion laid the groundwork. But authenticity cemented the culture.
At WiRL, this idea came through in a range of sessions—from emotional resilience to hands-on self-defense training. The programming emphasized not just showing up, but showing up fully: emotionally, mentally, and even physically. Attendees reflected on the barriers that keep them from owning their leadership identity.
Conversations explored the pressure to appear polished, the fear of being misjudged, and the courage it takes to be seen clearly. In this environment, growth didn’t come from perfection. It came from presence.
Callie Evergreen reinforced that tone in her event recap: “Even if you didn’t wear pink at the Barbie party, you’re still welcome at the table—and I’ll still sit with you.”
Coaching Application: Authentic leadership starts with participation, not performance. Real presence matters more than polish.
Try This: Identity Check-In
Ask yourself or your team: “Where am I most afraid of being misunderstood as a leader?” and “What do I want people to trust about me that goes beyond my title?”
3. Leaders Must Redefine the Rules
Barbie’s transformation isn’t just personal. She reimagines the entire structure. Leadership isn’t about climbing. It’s about redesigning.
That spirit was alive across WiRL programming. One panel explored how companies are rewriting outdated promotion paths. Another shared how onboarding now centers empathy and adaptability over longevity.
An internal coaching initiative invited hourly team members to co-create their growth trajectories. These weren’t theoretical discussions. They were active efforts to shift leadership from exclusivity to equity.
Coaching Application: Don’t settle for legacy systems. Evaluate what leadership looks like in your organization—and coach others to do the same.
Try This: Path Audit
Review your team’s advancement process. Are criteria based on impact or visibility? Gather honest feedback and look for outdated standards.
4. Reflection Is a Form of Action
One of the film’s most powerful scenes is simple: Barbie looks in the mirror to understand, not judge. That moment becomes her pivot.
At WiRL, the same theme echoed through storytelling and peer discussions. Attendees shared openly about burnout, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to prove themselves. These weren’t signs of weakness. They were gateways to growth.
Coaching Application: Leaders need mirrors more than metrics. Make reflection a consistent part of your leadership rhythm.
Try This: The Mirror & Map Exercise
Ask your team:
- Where do you feel pressure to be perfect?
- What values do you want to lead with instead?
Then have each person sketch a roadmap that reflects alignment with those values. Follow up with a group share or one-on-one coaching.
Coaching Is the Real Superpower
Both Barbie and the WiRL Summit reminded us that leadership doesn’t need to be loud to be strong. It can be awkward. It can be reflective. And often, the most powerful thing a leader can do is invite someone else to rise.
One attendee put it simply: “I’ve never felt more seen—and I didn’t even wear pink.”
That’s the kind of leadership that changes culture.
As I often tell my clients: you don’t need to be the hero. Just be the coach. Be present. Be consistent. And most of all, be someone others can grow beside.
Coaching Challenge: This week, tell your team: “You don’t have to be perfect. Just be present. We’ll figure it out together.”
Want to Turn Insight into Action?
If this piece sparked a leadership idea, download the 100-Day Planning Tool to help you structure, coach, and execute real change with your team. It’s built around the AIM | DRIVE | SCALE™ system and used by operators, execs, and leadership coaches across the country.
Editor’s note: This article is part of The Coaching Connection, a biweekly column series from restaurant expert Jason E. Brooks. Check out the others below:
- The Real Cause of Quiet Quitting in Hospitality? Silent Leadership
- How to Eliminate Chaos in Your Restaurant with This 3-Part Framework
- Data-Driven Quick Wins for Restaurant Success
- The $39.99 Problem: Why Restaurant Workers Are Suffering—One Pair of Shoes at a Time
- You’re Not Losing Staff—You’re Losing Trust. Here’s How to Earn it Back
- The Real Reason Your Managers Are Failing (And it’s Not What You Think)
- How the ‘4 Walls, 4 Blocks, 4 Miles’ Strategy Can Transform Your Restaurant Marketing
- The Simple Leadership Practice that Builds Stronger Restaurant Teams
- Master Your KPIs: The Recipe for Restaurant Success
- Why Onboarding is Your Secret Weapon for Long-Term Employee Retention
- Why Restaurant Owners Struggle to Delegate—And 5 Steps to Fix It
Jason E. Brooks is a hospitality coach, author, and consultant with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He has worked with six of the top 100 restaurant brands in the U.S., helping leaders and operators set, track, and achieve their goals through actionable systems. Jason specializes in transforming restaurant operations to boost profitability and develop high-performing teams. For more insights, visit www.jasonebrooks.com, or connect with Jason on LinkedIn to start the conversation about taking your restaurant to the next level
