What Could We Learn From Popeye?

Four Important Lessons from Popeye the Sailorman

Troy Urdahl

Sep 30, 2023

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

- Nelson Mandela

Popeye the Sailorman

Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life

Popeye the Sailorman is a nearly 100-year-old cartoon character known for his iconic spinach-fueled strength and unwavering sense of justice. First appearing in 1929, Popeye is a rugged sailor with a distinctive speech pattern and an unshakable determination to stand up against bullies and defend those in need. Through his entertaining adventures, Popeye's stories continue to inspire and entertain with his timeless messages of authenticity and resilience. Here are four lessons from Popeye that can help our teams during and away from competition:

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Embrace Your True Self: What was Popeye’s catchphrase? His mantra, "I am what I am and that’s all that I am," reflects his authenticity. He never pretended to be someone he wasn't. Be true to yourself, don't fake it. Love yourself first, as Popeye did, and others will follow suit. He was unique, vulnerable, and taught us the power of being real.

Persevere Through Challenges: Popeye faced problems head-on, never backing down. His perseverance didn’t falter, whether against rivals, rough seas, or misadventures. Setbacks are chances to grow. Embrace your strengths and accept your limitations. Like Popeye, keep going even when it's tough. His determination teaches us that strength lies in overcoming challenges.

Stand Up for What's Right: Despite his tough exterior, Popeye had a caring heart. He stood up against bullies to protect his loved ones. Don't judge by appearances; courage often hides beneath. Be like Popeye – stand up against injustice, even when odds are stacked against you. Use your strengths to benefit those around you. Just like he defended the weak, champion justice and make a positive impact.

Discover Your Inner Strength: For Popeye, spinach was more than food – it symbolized his strength. When he believed in it, he felt invincible. Find your inner strength and believe in it. Popeye's power wasn't just physical; it was resourcefulness, quick thinking, and kindness. Your true strength comes from within – your intelligence, resilience, and compassion. Popeye's story teaches us to value our unique qualities and talents.

"I am what I am and that’s all that I am and if I’m supposed to be somebody else, why do I look like me?"

- Benjamin Franklin

Connecting this quote to the story. It is important to embrace and value one's unique identity, just like Popeye did!

This week’s Chasing Influence tip: Embrace and celebrate your authentic self. This will inspire your team to leverage its unique strengths and build a culture of trust and resilience.

If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.

Workbook One

Workbook Two

Workbook Three