A competent leader mobilizes their followers to pursue desired objectives. Numerous leadership styles are at the disposal of organizational administrators. Nevertheless, for a leader to be successful, they must use a management style that guarantees job satisfaction. Belias and Koustelios (2014, p. 49) define leadership style as “the relative consistent pattern of behavior that characterizes a leader”. Competition in the business world demands a leader to have knowledge of the complexities attributed to the fast changing international environment. Research shows that the leadership style that a leader adopts can promote or hinder innovation (Fiaz et al. 2017). As Belias and Koustelios (2014) put it, leadership is vital in assisting employees to realize their full potential. Some of the management approaches that institutional directors can adapt include transformational leadership style, transactional leadership style, Autocratic leadership style, and charismatic leadership style among others. This paper will discuss the leadership styles that Walt Disney and Henry Ford exhibited. There were similarities and differences in the leadership approaches that the two leaders applied. Walt Disney Walt Disney was the founder of Walt Disney Corporation and the architect of Mickey Mouse. He developed interest in art at a tender age and could draw pictures and sell them to his neighbors. Disney enrolled for a course in art at the Chicago Art Institute, which enabled him to advance his drawing skills. After failing to join the military, he decided to pursue art as a career, and that is when he learned about animation. He began to create short animated movies for local customers in Kansas City. The production of cartoon dubbed Mickey Mouse led to Disney becoming popular in the animation industry. His success was attributed to the use of both charismatic and autocratic leadership styles. In 1936, Disney understood that it was difficult to build a company without rallying employees behind his vision. Consequently, he used his charisma to pick staff and create a team comprising experienced imaginative workers. Cemal et al. (2014) argue that charismatic leadership entails instilling certain behaviors in employees through persuasion, articulate communication, and force of personality. The dedication and fervor to one’s cause drive charismatic leaders (Gebert, Heinitz & Buengeler 2016). Disney devoted his time to art and had a dream of becoming a leader in the animation business. Consequently, he worked hard to persuade experienced artists to join his company. He pledged to assist them to advance their skills by meeting part of their learning expenses. Moreover, he established a good working environment to encourage artists to work for him. Goldsby and Mathews (2018) allege that Disney created a family-like working atmosphere where every worker was an integral part of the company. In some instances, he organized barbecue at his house whenever employees achieved a particular target. Charismatic leaders appreciate the importance of building trust amid workers. They acknowledge that it is difficult to promote cooperation and commitment without trust (Iqbal, Anwar & Haider 2015). Disney leveraged his charisma t