There can be few people born in the last 50 years who haven’t at some point done a Yoda voice, breathed like Darth Vader, or crept into a sleeping bag pretending it was a Taun Taun (just me?).
In a world where we’re always looking for cultural touchpoints and common ground, the Star Wars saga is full of characters who embody the best – and worst – of our fantasies and idiosyncrasies.
The modern office is fertile ground for stereotype-spotting, and there’s sometimes a grain of truth in jokes about ‘the office Jar Jar Binks’, and leadership styles taken directly from the Palpatine Book of Management.
Question is, do you work with any of the ones below? And who else would you add?
C-suite style define, you must
Storm Trooper Associates
With their glossy bright offices stuffed with tech and tools, these are the powerhouse that drives your ship. Now found in every territory, they can swarm any obstacle. Just don’t ask them about their accuracy…
Motto: “I haven’t finished the decks you’re looking for.”
Special Skill: KPIs for everything
Secret weakness: Terrible shot
The ‘Yoda’ CMO
Years as an ambassador, mentor, and evangelist (and pretty much any other funky job title) without a portfolio means the Yoda CMO is often the first choice when it comes to that critical ‘outside-in disruptive view’.
Motto: “Measure, or measure not, there is no KPI”
Special Skill: Enigmatic pronouncements
Secret weakness: Seeing over the parapet
Darth Maul Director
Not the most avuncular of marketers, what he lacks in communications, he makes up for in single-mindedness. Yes, the customer is important, but really what drives him is hitting goals – whatever the cost.
Motto: “You and I will be working much more closely from now on.”
Special Skill: Super-fast pivot
Secret Weakness: Easily split
Leia Organic Growth
The diametric opposite of a damsel in distress, Leia Organic Growth secretly wouldn’t change a thing about the love-hate relationship she has with her team. Low on budget and resources, she’ll take on an empire – and win.
Motto: “Aren’t you a little short for a marketer?”
Special Skill: Fixing everyone else’s mistakes.
Secret Weakness: Too much of a romantic.
Han Solo-operator
Hates going into the office. Can’t stand taking work home. Total workaholic. Han Solo-operator is terrific in small, nimble teams with big objectives – but doesn’t like feeling beholden to the larger org. Just ask his hairy best friend.
Motto: “I know.”
Special Skill: Rogue operator
Secret Weakness: Shooting first
Captain Phasma
Don’t let the shoulder pads fool you…oh no wait, do. Captain Phasma might occasionally verge on the petrifying when crossed, but as an enforcer of compliance, she is utterly without peer.
Motto: “Submit your keynote for inspection.”
Special Skill: Ruthless enforcer
Secret Weakness: 90s TV references
