Happy Star Wars Day!
To celebrate 48 years of Star Wars, I’m sharing 48 quotes from the movies and TV series as well as the leadership principles we can learn from them.
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A New Hope (1977)
- “May the Force be with you.” — Han Solo, et al
- Principle: The most well known quote in all of Star Wars (if not all of film). This quote highlights the importance of believing in something bigger than yourself.
- “Who’s the more foolish: the fool or the fool who follows him? — Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Principle: You can often judge a leader by their followers, and vice versa.
- “Somebody has to save our skins. Into the garbage chute, flyboy!” — Leia Organa
- Principle: Plans can change in an instant. As a leader, you need to know how to improvise.
- “When I left you I was but the learner. Now I am the master.” — Darth Vader
- “Stay on target.” — Gold Five
- Principle: As a leader, it is essential to stay focused on your goals.
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- “You are free to use any methods necessary, but I want them alive. No disintegrations.” — Darth Vader
- Principle: A leader empowers AND sets expectations.
- You do have your moments. Not many, but you do have them.” — Leia Organa
- Principle: Even the worst team members can sometimes do good work.
- “Do or do not. There is no try.” — Yoda
- Principle: Don’t be underconfident.
Return of the Jedi (1983)
- “Your overconfidence is your weakness.” — Luke Skywalker
- Principle: Don’t be overconfident.
- “Always pass on what you have learned.” — Yoda
- Principle: Don’t keep your experience, education, and expertise to yourself. Share it with others!
- “It’s against my programming to impersonate a deity.” — C-3PO
- Principle: As a leader, people may try to put you on a pedestal. Don’t let them.
The Phantom Menace (1999)
- “The ability to speak does not make you intelligent.” — Qui-Gon Jinn
- Principle: Someone may look or sound qualified. However, it doesn’t always mean they are.
- “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” — Yoda
- Principle: Fear can be a gateway to bad leadership.
- “ I will not defer.” — Queen Amidala, The Phantom Menance
- Principle: As a leader, sometimes you will need to dig in your heels or stand your ground.
Attack of the Clones (2002)
- “Sometimes we must let go of our pride and do what is requested of us.” — Anakin Skywalker
- Principle: Leaders must be humble.
Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- “This is where the fun begins.” — Anakin Skywalker
- Principle: Even when the work is serious you can still have fun with it.
- “Twice the pride, double the fall.” — Count Dooku, Revenge of the Sith
- Principle: The Bible tells us that pride comes before the fall (Proverbs 16:18). The bigger your pride, the bigger your fall.
- “Not to worry. We are still flying half a ship.” — Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Principle: As a leader, it is important to look for the positive aspects in negative situations.
- “All who gain power are afraid to lose it.” — Sheev Palpatine
- Principle: Not all leaders have their team’s best intentions in mind. Some just want influence and will do anything to keep it.
- “So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause.” —Queen Amidala
- Principle: Bad leadership decisions will often have enthusiastic support.
The Clone Wars Movie (2008)
- “In my book, experience outranks everything.” — Captain Rex
- Principle: It is essential to have experienced team members.
The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
- “Great leaders inspire greatness in others.” — Opening Crawl, S1E1
- Principle: Leaders inspire those they lead.
- “You don’t have to look tough to be tough.” — Ahsoka Tano
- Principle: Don’t judge someone by their appearance.
- “To die for one’s people is a great sacrifice. To live for one’s people, an even greater sacrifice. I choose to live for my people.” — Senator Riyo Chuchi
- Principle: As a leader, you will have to make sacrifices. While you might not sacrifice your life, you can still live sacrificially for those that you lead.
Rebels (2014-2018)
- “Battles leave scars, some you can’t see.” — Kanan
- Principle: Being a leader takes a toll on a person’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. We often won’t be able to see these wounds. This is why empathy is so important.
The Force Awakens (2015)
- “To me, she is royalty.” — Lor San Tekka
- Principle: Even if you don’t have a title, you can still be a leader.
Rogue One (2016)
- “Trust goes both ways.” — Jyn Erso
- Principle: If you want to have trust, you also have to give it.
- “Be careful not to choke on your aspirations, director.” — Darth Vader
- Principle: Control your ambition; don’t let your ambition control you.
The Last Jedi (2017)
- “The greatest teacher, failure is.” — Yoda
Solo (2018)
- “You’re after something. Is it revenge? Money? Or is it something else? ” — Qi’ra
- Principle: As a leader, you need to know what motivates the people on your team.
The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
- “We had each other. That’s how we won.” — Lando Calrissian
- Principle: You can’t do it alone. You need a team.
- “Good people will fight if we lead them.” — Poe Dameron
- Principle: Good people are looking for good leaders to follow.
The Mandalorian (2019-2023)
- “This is the way.” — Din Djarin, et al
- Principle: A leader must have a code of ethics.
- “I like firsts. Good or bad, they’re always memorable.” — Ahsoka Tano
- Principle: You can gain something from every new opportunity.
- “Mandalorians are stronger together.” — Bo-Katan Kryze
- Principle: A leader is only as strong as their team.
- “If you can make it through your day and still sleep at night, you’re doing better than most.” — Migs Mayfeld
- Principle: As a leader, you will have to make difficult decisions. Having integrity can help you make those decisions.
- “Your song is not yet written.” — Din Djarin
- Principle: As a leader, every day is an opportunity to work on your legacy.
The Bad Batch (2021-2024)
- “Understanding you does not mean I agree with you.” — Tech
- Principle: As a leader, you don’t need to agree with everyone on your team. However, you should still try to understand them.
Visions (2021-Present)
- “I finally got the band members I was looking for. Our legend starts here!” — Geezer “Gee” Odajion (S1:E2, “Tatooine Rhapsody”).
- Principle: When you find a great team, do great work with them.
The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022)
- “Jabba ruled with fear. I intend to rule with respect.” — Boba Fett
- Principle: It is better to lead with respect than with fear.
Kenobi (2022)
- “There are many ways to lead. You just have to find yours.” — Bail Organa
- Principle: There isn’t just one way to lead.
Andor (2022-2025)
- “Of course I’m afraid. But there’s a difference between fear and losing your nerve.” — Cassian Andor
- Principle: Being a leader isn’t about being fearless. It’s about how you handle fear.
- “The axe forgets, but the tree remembers.” — Arvel Skeen
- Principle: You may forget about the people you hurt. However, they won’t forget about you.
- “Being a leader isn’t something one just turns on and off… You might as well wear a sign that says, ‘I promise to disappoint you.’” — Eedy Karn
- Principle: As a leader, you will disappoint people and be disappointed by them.
- “Think like a leader.’” — Luthen Rael
- Principle: Leaders need to play the long game and think about the big picture.
Ahsoka (2023-Present)
- “One is never too old to learn.” — Anakin Skywalker
- Principle: Being a leader means being a lifelong learner.
The Acolyte (2024)
- “We’re not defined by what we lose. We’re defined by what we survive.” — Jecki Lon
- Principle: Your leadership is defined by what you overcome.
Skeleton Crew (2024-2025)
- “The galaxy is scary and dangerous. Everywhere we went, even the worst places, there were good people, too. People that can help us.” — Fern
- Principle: You may not like your job or the place that you work. However, there are likely good people who can help you on your leadership journey.
What is your favorite Star Wars quote? Let me know by leaving a comment!
Originally posted on May 4, 2023. Last updated on May 4, 2024.
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Nick Chellsen 