24 Leadership Quotes And Lessons From Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier

The Avengers Assembled

Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier has challenged The Avengers for the best Marvel film yet.  This movie is loaded with action and the audience responded with applause throughout.  Marvel has developed an incredibly loyal following while creating characters people have made an emotional investment in.

In addition to being incredibly fun entertainment, there were also 24 Leadership Quotes From Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier from the movie I want to pass onto you.

Friends And Theater Employees

1. Leaders Point To A Brighter Future –  Pictured to the left holding Captain America’s shield is the manager of the theater I attended.  Before the movie’s opening he and the Avengers (shown above) came into our individual theater and said,  “Turn your phones off.  You won’t need it during the next two-and-a-half hours.”  We knew then we were going to have a great time.
2. Create Memorable Experiences – As part of closing out his pre-show announcements and inviting us to return to the theater, he proudly proclaimed, “This is the sumer of awesome!”  Pastors and church leaders should prioritize telling people why they should return to next week’s service.
3. Competing Agendas Hurt Organizational Performance – There is a difference between being aligned and being attuned.  In the initial action sequence Captain America/Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) and Agent Romanoff (played by Scarlett Johansson) had different missions.  This threatened the safety of both.
4. Trust Is The Foundation Of Any Successful Team – Rogers says, “Soldiers trust each other.  That is what makes us an army.”
5. Silos Harm Team Performance – Most members of S.H.I.E.L.D had limited knowledge of the organization’s activities.  Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson, said, “Compartmentalization.  Nobody shares all their secrets because nobody knows them all.”
6. Every Organization Has Varying Levels Of Access – Intuitive leaders know not to involve themselves in discussions with those of higher rank unless invited into the conversation.
7. Acknowledge The Past – One thing we all have in common is we have a past.  Each character in the film had to deal with issues from theirs.  We will all sit down to a banquet of consequences.
8. Honor The Past – Leaders know you cannot lead people into their future unless you first touch their past.  The movie does an excellent job catching people up-to-speed on Captain America’s story by utilizing a history exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute.
9. The Difference Between Loving People And Trusting Them – Christian leaders realize there is a big difference between forgiveness and trust.  Forgiveness is what we are called to do.  Trust must be earned.  Fury said, “Granddad loved people but didn’t trust them very much.”
10. Leaders Think The Best Of Their People – As seen in the movie’s trailer, when Rogers sees the artillery S.H.I.E.L.D. is amassing he notes, “This isn’t freedom.  This is fear.”
11. The Power Of Motivation – If you know what a person laughs about, cries about and dreams about, you will be able to more effectively lead them.  Rogers said, “For as long as I can remember I just wanted to do what it right.”
12. The Strength Of Your Team Is Determined By The Number Of Leaders You Have – To overcome the issues he was facing, Rogers had to enlist the help of Falcon/Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, and Agent 13, played by Emily VanCamp.
13. Leaders Have Guilt And Regret – Wilson said, “We all got the same problems – guilt, regret.”
14. Leaders Provide Solutions – Smart leaders provide solutions but never rush to judgment.  The problem leaders face is properly identify the right problem.  The solution then become obvious.  Andrew Pierce, played by Robert Redford, says, “To build a better world sometimes means tearing the old one down.”
15. Leaders Are Real People With Real Feelings – “It’s not personal.  It’s just business” is a selfish and short-sided statement.  If human beings are involved, it is always personal.  When Brock Rumlow, played by Frank Grillo, attempts to kill Rogers and says, “It’s nothing personal.”  Rogers responds by saying, “It feels personal.”
16. Relationships Are Strengthened By Shared Experiences – When discussing finding a girlfriend, Rogers says, “I’m 95.  I’m not dead.  It’s hard to find someone with shared experiences.”
17. Leaders Must Address The Insecurities Of People – Pierce acknowledges, “The world is finally ready to give up their freedom for security.”
18. People Follow Leaders Worth Following – If your pastors requests your help, do you have to think about it before saying, “Yes!”?  Wilson says, “Captain America needs my help.  There’s no better reason to get in.”
19. Leaders Who Are Secure And Emotionally Healthy Are More Effective – When Fury said, “They can’t kill you if you’re already dead” I remembered the words of the Apostle Paul to the church in ancient Phillipi.  He said, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21 ESV)
20. The Speed Of The Leader Is The Speed Of The Team – No organization can rise above the speed of the leader.  When Wilson is asked about his skills, he looks at Rogers and says, “I do what he does.  Just slower.”
21. Leaders Make Hard Choices – Prior to the climatic battle between Captain America and The Winter Soldier, Wilson advises Rogers, “He’s not the kind you save.  He’s the kind you stop.”
22. To Be Successful You Need The Right Tools – Rogers noted, “If you’re going to fight a war you have to have a uniform.”
23. The Cost Of Leadership – Successful leaders have paid a higher cost than others were willing to pay.  Rogers says, “The price of freedom is high but I am willing to pay it.”
24. Smart Leaders Leave People Wanting More – People should leave your church services wanting more.  Captain America 2: Winter Soldier has two post-credit previews which make you can’t wait for Avengers 2 premiering in May 2015.

Bottom line- great movie.  Go see it and have a great time.  After watching, let me know your thoughts on Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier.

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