10 business lessons you can learn from Star Wars
Contents
- 1 1. “You still have a lot to learn”
- 2 2. “Caution must be exercised when looking to the future, Anakin. The fear of loss is a path to the dark side.”
- 3 3. “A great warrior? Wars make no one great.”
- 4 4. “Anger. Fear. Aggressiveness. They are the dark side of the force. They possess you easily.”
- 5 5. “Do it or don’t do it. There is no trying.”
- 6 6. “Size isn’t everything. The smaller squad we are, bigger in spirit.”
- 7 7. “Open up. Feel the power that surrounds you. You must use your senses.”
- 8 8. “Your perception determines your reality.”
- 9 9. “Someone has to do something to save us!”
- 10 10. “I find your lack of faith deplorable.”
1. “You still have a lot to learn”
Yoda to Count Dooku (Episode II – Attack of the Clones)
This is particularly true for entrepreneurs and freelancers these days, but even permanent employees can no longer rest on the knowledge they have acquired during their apprenticeship or studies. Permanent further training is required in many areas, particularly as a result of advanced digitization.
2. “Caution must be exercised when looking to the future, Anakin. The fear of loss is a path to the dark side.”
Yoda to Anakin Skywalker about his visions (Episode III – Revenge of the Sith)
Fear is not a good advisor when it comes to making decisions. Especially as a manager in a start-up, you often have to make risky decisions that can go a long way in one direction or the other. The need for security should not always win here.
Yoda to Luke Skywalker (Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back)
Wallowing in the dirt of the competition consumes energy that you can put to other things. Observing the competition is certainly important, but instead of concentrating on the weaknesses of the competition, it is better to focus on your own strengths.
Yoda to Luke Skywalker (Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back)
A positive attitude towards your business and your work is not necessarily the key to success, but it is always helpful. Especially if you still want to be happy after years of hard work and don’t want to end up with a burnout. Anyone who notices that many bad feelings are gaining the upper hand in their work should look for ways to change this.
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Yoda to Luke Skywalker (Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Chapter 31 – There is no Try)
“Do it or don’t do it. There’s no trying,” says Master Yoda – and he’s right. When you say, “Ok, we’ll try,” that means you’re doing something, but you don’t trust it. If so, then you should decide against it. But if you find enough reasons to do it, say instead: “We’ll do it!” Why formulate the doubt again when you have already decided to do something? Rather formulate in goals. Instead of “We are trying to conquer the French market”, rather: “Our goal is to conquer the French market.”
Yoda to the clones. ( Clone Wars – The Ambush)
Yes, okay, the quote is from the Clone Wars computer animated series. But it fits devilishly well. Because in recent years, many startups have shown that they can compete with the big players in the industry. Through clever financing and new approaches.
Yoda to the Younglings (Episode II – Attack of the Clones Chapter 14)
This quote also reflects a principle of design thinking. It is described very appropriately on Wikipedia: “The process is based on the work of designers, which is understood as a combination of understanding, observation, brainstorming, refinement, execution and learning.” Above all, observing, improving and validating is an important one process in product development. To do this, entrepreneurs have to put out their feelers and not only pay attention to very specific details, but also recognize and understand the spirit of their target group.
Qui-Gon Jinn to Anakin Skywalker (Episode I – The Phantom Menace)
It should be clear to everyone that there is no such thing as absolute truth. And that there is not just one taste. The reality of an entrepreneur can be completely different than that of his customers, than that of his employees and that of his business partners. A regular comparison of different realities, for example through customer surveys and employee appraisals, helps here.
Leia Organa on Han Solo (Episode IV A New Hope)
With this sentence, Leia justifies her unorthodox problem solving in order to save herself and her gang. The set includes a small tip. Actually she says yes. “Somebody has to do something to save us! And you don’t do it.” She picks it up. A suitable saying also exists in Meta’s corporate culture.
Darth Vader to Admiral Motti (Episode IV – A New Hope)
An important characteristic of successful founders is their unwavering belief in their cause. That doesn’t mean that you should naïvely dismiss any expert criticism. But you shouldn’t be too easily discouraged by setbacks.
May the force be with you!
