Watership Down

Great teams need great leaders, but they also need great members who make the most of their abilities. Hazel rewards each of his rabbit’s contributions, with the result that they form a fiercely loyal and cooperative team.

The tone is set by Hazel, who makes it clear that his purpose is to protect and enhance his group. Early on, after they’ve come through some tough challenges, he realizes how good his followers are: “There was no more questioning of Bigwig’s strength, Fiver’s insight, Blackberry’s wits,” or his own ability as a leader (161).

Hazel makes a point of building on the strengths of these and other members of his group. When he returns from being wounded by a farmer’s gun, Hazel makes a point of chatting with everyone he can at Watership: “Hazel talked to almost all the rabbits” (329). He’s interested in everyone’s viewpoints and wants their voices heard.

His brother Fiver chafes when his eccentric predictions get rejected by other rabbits. Hazel listens and encourages Fiver’s strange genius, and the young rabbit thrives, his prophecies becoming more focused, clear, and useful to the group—which, like Hazel, comes to appreciate their value.