As the protagonist of the Muppets, Kermit often tries to maintain order while the rest of the group clumsily stumbles through chaotic adventures (Lasky, 2023). Although never formally appointed as their leader, he naturally assumes this role by hosting The Muppet Show, representing the group, and guiding discussions. Kermit’s approach to leadership becomes especially clear in The Muppet Movie (Cawston, 2015), which much like other stories associated with the hopepunk genre, places kindness, optimism, and community at the center of its narrative (Knight, 2019). His dream of making people happy turns into a shared mission, as more and more Muppets join him on his journey. A powerful moment for Kermit's leadership unfolds during a crisis, when he reaffirms his belief in the dream that brought the Muppets together, enabling him to continue guiding and supporting the group (Cawston, 2015). This moment is captured in the soliloquy shown in the video below.
Kermit's soliloquy in The Muppet Movie (Muppet Songs, 2019).
Kermit and his leadership have inspired people from all walks of life. In organizational settings, he is valued for his loyalty and kindness, holding chaotic groups together with patience, emotional intelligence, and quiet persistence (Baron, 2017; Dickerson, 2011). In education, Kermit's qualities of kindness, empathy, and creativity serve as a model for fostering inclusion and emotional connection in classrooms (Maricevic, 2023). In environmental studies, Kermit’s iconic struggle of “being green” has been used to illustrate how corporate leaders and engineers, promoting sustainable practices, often balance practical challenges with deeper ethical responsibilities (Vesilind et al., 2007), showing that their decisions often involve reconciling immediate constraints with long-term, morally grounded goals. Kermit’s leadership is remarkable precisely because it resonates across generations, as even young audiences recognize kindness, collaboration, and care as key leadership qualities (Hurt, 2024).
These are just a few examples, but Kermit’s leadership, built on kindness, patience, and shared purpose, offers a reminder of values that are more relevant than ever. Perhaps the real strength lies not in taking control but in creating space for others to thrive.
For a more humorous take, below you can find Kermit himself sharing some practical and slightly chaotic management advice.
Kermit's Management Tips (Kermit The Frog And The Muppets, 2020).