In 2005, Disney was struggling. Its stock had plummeted, creativity was stagnant, and morale was at rock bottom. Then Bob Iger stepped in. "The heart and soul of the company is creativity and innovation," he declared, and proceeded to prove it by orchestrating the most remarkable turnaround in entertainment history - transforming Disney's market value from $48 billion to over $257 billion.
While other executives played it safe, Iger made bold moves. He acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion when critics called him crazy. Then came Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox - each deal more audacious than the last. But Iger's true genius wasn't in the acquisitions - it was in preserving the creative spirit of each company he bought.
His leadership philosophy was deceptively simple: empower creative talent, embrace technology, and think globally. The results were extraordinary. Under his watch, Disney+ reached 100 million subscribers in just 16 months, while the company launched theme parks in Shanghai and created countless billion-dollar franchises.
Today, as companies struggle to balance creativity with commerce, Iger's approach offers a masterclass in transformational leadership. His story proves that the bravest business decisions often come from trusting creative instincts.
