Growing Consciously: The Secret to Building a Business That Lasts Establish your company's longevity through slow and steady growth.

In 1928 a young cartoonist and visionary, Walt Disney, came up with a seemingly ordinary idea that would revolutionize generations to come: Mickey Mouse.

Today, the beloved character is nearly 100 years old, and the Disney company grows stronger by the day. In an article for The Atlantic, Benjamin Schwarz writes that Disney "implanted his creations more profoundly and pervasively in the national psyche than has any other figure in the history of American popular culture." Indeed, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn't been touched by the magic of his work.

It's fair to say that as a founder and entrepreneur, Walt Disney is a great example of a leadership style that was built to last. He was skilled in creating a company with strong core values, and according to co-authors Hemant Taneja and Ken Chenault, it was this emphasis on vision and principles that enabled the company's long-term growth. "Disney's continuing success long after the passing of its iconic founder is a testament to the power of a system of leadership that endures over time," they wrote.