Business Lessons From Each Star Wars Movie
In honor of May the 4th, we’re getting ready for Star Wars day! With its classic storyline of good vs. evil among the cosmos, Star Wars has inspired generations – including business owners! Join us in this journey of business lessons that every entrepreneur needs to know.
The Phantom Menace – Be Willing to Take A Risk
In Episode, I: The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon Jinn goes with his gut and takes a chance on Anakin Skywalker. He makes the risky gamble to offer up his ship in exchange for the boy’s freedom. Qui-Gon saw something in Anakin and was willing to risk it all.
To see your dreams come true, you often must take a risk first.
For business owners, this likely sounds very familiar. To see your dreams come true, you often must first take a risk. Whether it’s quitting your day job, securing financing, or making a long-term investment, running a business can require leaps of faith. But, as many business owners would agree, the risk is often worth the reward.
Attack of the Clones – Take Initiative
In Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Skywalker grew quite a bit. If there’s one thing he learned to do well between the 2 movies, it’s how to take initiative. Anakin’s initiative led to quite a few victories in the Star Wars universe. Because he took initiative, Anakin caught a bounty hunter and saved Obi-Wan from captivity.
To get to the next level, strategic ideation, initiative, and bravery make a great combo.
A good entrepreneur knows initiative is key. To get to the next level, strategic ideation, initiative, and bravery make a great combo. You’ve got this. Take the initiative to make that sale, purchase that new piece of equipment, or arrange that business partnership. That leap can lead to big payoffs down the road.
Revenge of the Sith – Even at Your Lowest Point, Keep Pushing Forward
By the end of Episode III, the Old Republic and the Jedi Order fall due to Skywalker’s betrayal. Yoda, Obi-Wan and the rest of the crippled remnants of the Republic could have given up all hope and resigned themselves to defeat. However, the film ends on a bright, hopeful note. Vader’s twin children provide hope and grow to become the protagonists of the original trilogy. The final scenes are a reminder that amidst an all-time low, it wasn’t over yet.
The most successful business owners keep their heads up, refusing to give up.
Some business owners may have to deal with a similar problem. After all, nothing goes perfectly. During hard times, the most successful business owners keep their heads up, refusing to give up. They press forward to the victory on the other side.
Rogue One – Find Your Why
Rogue One is a newer addition to the Star Wars series, with new characters – who’s a fan!? Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor and the gang have different backstories, but together, they achieve victory in the end. Why did they achieve victory? Because they were all committed to the same cause. They all knew their way, and they were willing to put their lives on the line for their cause.
Keep your mind set on why you love to do what you do.
While your business may or may not encounter life-threatening scenarios, you will no doubt face trials on the road to success. The key to overcoming these trials? Keep your mindset on why you love to do what you do in the first place. Centering on your why will help you overcome hurdles and fuel your fire.
A New Hope – Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Luke Skywalker was comfortable with his life as a farm boy. He had never faced life-threatening challenges before. When Obi-Wan offered him the adventure of a lifetime, Luke initially turned it down because he would have had to leave behind everything he ever knew. But when he did step out of his comfort zone, he became the hero that the Rebel Alliance needed him to be.
When he did step out of his comfort zone, he became the hero.
When running a business, there will be times when you need to lean into the discomfort and step out into the great unknown. By stepping out of your comfort zone and expanding your horizons, you can take your business to new heights. Cheers to doing things that have never been done before!
The Empire Strikes Back – Be All-In
Often argued as the best of the series, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is full of valuable lessons and full of Yoda. This episode even includes one of the most quoted Star Wars lines: “Do or do not. There is no try.” Master Yoda speaks wisdom as Luke offers up a half-hearted attempt in a difficult step of his training. The lesson was simple: if Luke only had an “I’ll try” mentality, he was already doomed to failure.
“Do or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda
When making decisions or moves in your business, be all-in. Go into every situation with a confident mentality that you are going to achieve the things that you set out to accomplish. Don’t simply try, do.
Return of the Jedi – Stick to Your Guns
In the triumphant finale of the original trilogy, the Empire is finally defeated when Darth Vader renounces the Dark Side. The victory can largely be credited to Luke Skywalker’s grit. Despite what everyone else told him about Vader, Luke believed his father could still do the right thing. Luke put his life on the line for what he believed would end the conflict. He stuck to what he knew, and his confidence inspired the end of the Galactic Civil War.
While it’s always wise to heed others’ counsel, sometimes you’ve got to stick to your guns.
Running your business, you may be prompted to make decisions in the face of dissenting opinions. While it’s always wise to heed others’ counsel, sometimes you’ve got to stick to your guns. You know your business inside and out, and it’s up to you to make the decisions to take it in the direction you know it can go.
The Force Awakens – Believe in Yourself
Throughout Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Rey constantly reminds those around her that she’s just a scavenger who needs to get home. She doesn’t realize the wealth of potential she holds inside of her, and she is reluctant to face the fact that she’s more than she thinks she is throughout the course of the film. It’s only at the end of the movie, where she harnesses the power of the Force and defeats Kylo Ren, that her potential is unlocked. And only then she chooses to believe in herself.
You have limitless potential waiting to be unleashed on the world.
As an entrepreneur, you have limitless potential inside of you waiting to be unleashed on the world. And only you have the power to unlock that potential. You’ve got the power to change the world with your business.
The Last Jedi – Implement Everything You’ve Learned
In the most recent addition to the Star Wars Universe, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, Rey’s journey continues. Rey asks Luke to teach her how she can capitalize on her potential to save the galaxy. Luke’s training isn’t easy, and Rey struggles to understand his methods. But when it comes to saving her friends, Rey uses her new talents and rescues the Resistance from the First Order.
Take each lesson to heart and implement as you go.
As you continue to grow your business, you may experience growing pains. There are a lot of lessons that can only be learned by experience, after all. Take each lesson to heart and implement as you go, continuing to be a lifelong learner for business success!
Parting Wishes
Now that you’ve got 9 business lessons under your belt, check out our free resource for start-ups and entrepreneurs planning for success!