Darth Vader’s Guide On What Not To Do In Business

Star Wars, being the veritable mine of awesomeness that it is, teaches a variety of lessons. Yoda teaches about determination and focus (“Do or do not; there is no try”). Vader proves that it’s never too late to be redeemed and forgiven. Han Solo shows that even if the odds are against your success (or survival), you can still make it work.

Darth Vader looking scary

Image via Pascal

Though you can derive many life lessons from this classic, there are also a few things Star Wars can teach us about business and some common mistakes to avoid.

1. Rule by Fear
The biggest leadership mistake Vader makes is punishment by force choke. He first uses it in the infamous “I find your lack of faith disturbing” scene, for someone who merely expresses an opinion he disagrees with. This act inspires fear in those he commands. Later on, he ends up killing a different admiral for making a simple mistake just before a significant battle with the Rebel Alliance. Between both of these situations, those under him are ruled by fear, knowing what will happen should they go against him or mess up.

7 Ways To Be A Leader In Business

Leadership is a funny thing. We all want to be leaders, and yet so few of us ever achieve that role to any effectiveness. However, the truth is that, while some people are born natural leaders, anyone can develop leadership qualities.

In the business realm, where efficiency and cooperation can mean the difference between success and failure, leadership is especially important. Whether you are an employee or in an official leadership role as a manager, these 7 tips can help you become a more effective leader and role model in your business.

 1. Share Your Vision

Perhaps one of the main things that sets apart good leaders from great leaders is their vision. A great leader doesn’t just tell people what to do, he or she has a vision for the future and helps others catch that vision. Your vision can be anything from creating a more positive work environment, to doubling profits. Large or small scale, no matter what your vision is, having a vision and then sharing it with your coworkers is key to leading others in business.