Leadership lessons from Ne Zha 2: A global business perspective
By Emma Shi ’25 Two-Year MBA Program
Building on the incredible success of the 2019 animated film “Ne Zha,” “Ne Zha 2” continues to captivate audiences worldwide with stunning animation and a deeply emotional narrative. The sequel explores profound themes of love, family, friendship, personal growth, belief, equity, peace and conflict. Beyond its cinematic artistry, “Ne Zha 2” carries powerful themes of leadership, reinvention, personal growth and resilience — all highly relevant for business leaders at Kellogg.
As of April 2025, the film has grossed approximately $2.15 billion globally, making it the fifth highest-grossing movie of all time and the highest-grossing animated film ever. With a reported production budget of $80 million, “Ne Zha 2” has generated an estimated return on investment (ROI) of over 26 times its budget, solidifying its place as an animated movie with one of the highest ROIs in movie history.
Masterful storytelling with cultural depth
“Ne Zha 2” dives deeply into Chinese mythology, translating ancient legends into universally resonant stories. At the core of the film's story lies a struggle between personal identity and societal expectations. Ne Zha, the film’s main character, has a hot-tempered personality and unappealing appearance, making him a target of mockery and alienation. However, his parents’ unconditional love repeatedly saved him from anger and hatred.
Family affection and friendship enabled Ne Zha to break free from his destructive fate, and ultimately, become a beloved hero. The sequel captures Ne Zha embarking on a heroic quest, using his newfound strength and wisdom to serve others and uphold justice.
A case study in global disruption
Ne Zha’s journey is a powerful metaphor for resilience. Today’s fast-changing world requires adaptability and strength. And, like Ne Zha, businesses and individuals need to learn to reinvent themselves with the changing times.
At Kellogg, I’ve had the opportunity to explore personal transformation both inside and outside the classroom. The school’s Global Initiatives in Management course took me to London, Bordeaux and Paris where I learned how businesses in those countries navigate and thrive through challenging times.
I remember visiting the H. Forman & Son Salmon Factory in London and listening intently to Lance Forman, the fourth-generation owner of Britain's oldest salmon smokers. He discussed how he strategically built a brand to overcome business challenges, adapting to new market trends while preserving traditional salmon smoking techniques — without compromising quality.
Or even thinking about when British politician Gillian Keegan, the former Secretary of State for Education, shared her experiences of harnessing a growth mindset to adapt to change and advance her career. She offered invaluable life lessons, recounting her journey from attending one of the country’s worst schools to leading positive changes in the national education system.
In Paris, we visited Decathlon’s Sports Labs and heard insights from Sharon MacBeath of Hermès and Yves Hanania of Lighthouse on adapting to industry changes to stay competitive. All these encounters and experiences underscore a theme of profound personal growth — just like Ne Zha’s story.
People worldwide resonate with transformative narratives that highlight emotional intelligence, continuous learning and a growth mindset — qualities essential for effective leadership and personal fulfillment. These principles are also deeply embedded in the leadership education at Kellogg.
Through the school’s MBA Leadership Development System, Professor Paul L. Corona teaches that true fulfillment arises from cultivating strong relationships and pursuing deep purpose. In his leadership development workshops and coaching sessions, students are encouraged to reflect carefully on their priorities, remain authentic and find strength in a constantly changing world. Similarly, Ne Zha exemplifies this journey toward self-discovery.
The films highlight the power of storytelling in fostering cross-cultural empathy and dialogue, providing audiences with an engaging entry point into Chinese mythology and culture. Reflecting on these themes, I encourage you to think about how 5,000 years of history and culture are influencing China’s business strategies and leadership styles of today. Additionally, consider how authentic cultural storytelling, exemplified by “Ne Zha 2,” can enhance businesses’ soft power and help build emotional connections with a global audience.