I do not want to offend the Marvel universe so here is your warning: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Tonight I had the privilege of seeing the first showing of Avengers: Endgame. I cannot overstate this enough – this is one of the best Marvel films ever. As has been reported, the middle portion of the movie drags a little but is necessary to further the story. However, the last hour is simply as good as movie-making gets.
You know the storyline by now – half of humanity and many of our superhero friends were destroyed by “The Snap” in Avengers: Infinity War after Thanos acquired all of the infinity stones. This movie is about how the Avengers would reverse history and save the universe.
Before I get to the quotes and lessons, I have a few problems with the movie. Early in the film there is a promotion of a relational dynamic which is offensive for many in the Marvel audience. Also, I counted two GDs and additional unnecessary language. Honestly, these stained an otherwise great film.
The following are 43 Leadership Quotes And Lessons From Avengers: Endgame. For additional content, read 7 Leadership Quotes And Lessons From The Avengers: Endgame Official Clip. Once again, last warning. MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!
- Time Is Tied To Excellence And Relative – If something is of great quality, length is not an issue. This 3-hour movie flew by and felt like 30 minutes. I have also sat in 30 minute presentations which felt like three hours.
- Things Can Change In An Instant – The movie opens in a powerful fashion as Hawkeye’s entire family disappears in the snap.
- Everything Has A Life Cycle – Tony Stark said, “Hey Ms. Potts. If you find this recording, don’t feel bad about this. Part of the journey is the end.”
- When Life Is Ending You Will Not Think About Business Success. You Will Think About Family. – Stark concluded his recording by saying, “When I drift off, I will dream about you. It’s always you.”
- Leadership Always Involves Lost – Upon returning to Earth, Stark said to Steve Rogers, “I lost the kid (Peter Parker). Rogers responded, “We lost.”
- Leaders Are Ultimately Judged On Results – Natasha Romanoff said, “Thanos did what exactly he said he was gonna do. He wiped out 50% of all living creatures.”
- Successful Leaders Are Proactive Leaders – Stark said, “We’re the Avengers. Not the Prevengers.”
- Leaders Like Options – Natasha said, “This is gonna work, Steve.” Steve responded, “I know it is. ‘Cause I don’t know what I’m gonna do if it doesn’t.”
- Pride Goes Before Destruction And A Haughty Spirit Before A Fall – Thanos said, “I am inevitable.”
- Successful Leaders Learn From Their Mistakes – After killing Thanos, Thor said, “I went for the head.”
- Leaders Own The Results At A Deeper Level Than Others – Rogers said, “Some people move on. But not us.”
- Experience Provides Leaders A Different Perspective – Natasha said, “I get emails from a raccoon. Nothing sounds crazy anymore.”
- Smart Leaders Simply Want An Opportunity – Natasha said, “Even if there’s a small chance. We owe this, to everyone who’s not in this room, to try.”
- Parents Are Either A Wonderful Example Or A Cautionary Tale – Tony was using bad language and then his young daughter began using the same words.
- Stark said, “Resentment is corrosive and I hate it.”
- Tragedy Makes You Either Bitter Or Better – In the five years since the snap, Thor literally let himself go.
- Thor said, “The only thing permanent is impermanence.”
- Leaders Are Dealers Of Hope And Always Point To A Brighter Tomorrow – Rogers said, “This is the fight of our lives and we’re going to win. Whatever it takes.”
- All Successful Relationship Are Based On Trust – Stark ask Rogers, “Do you trust me?” To which he replied, “I do.”
- Great Leaders Have Great Perseverance – 2012 Rogers said while fighting the 2019 Rogers, “I can do this all day.” To which the 2019 Rogers responded, “I know.”
- One Thing All Leaders Have In Common Is Failure – Gaea, Thor’s mother, said to him, “You’re a failure just like everyone else.”
- Gaea also added, “The measure of a hero is succeeding at who they are.“
- Great Leaders Practice Moderation – Gaea concluded by advising a massively overweight Thor, “Go be the man you were meant to be… and eat a salad.”
- Everyone Has Value – When he got his hammer back, Thor said, “I’m still worthy.”
- Howard Stark told Tony, not knowing who he was, “Individual objectives has rarely outweighed the greater good.“
- A Leader’s Most Valuable Commodity Is Time – Quoting his father, Tony said, “No amount of money ever bought a second of time.”
- Godly Leaders Show Grace To Others – Natasha said, “I don’t judge people on their worst mistakes.”
- Successful Leaders Are Constantly Looking Forward, Not Dwelling On Their Past. – Thanos said, “As long as there are those who remember what was, they will never know what could be.”
- If Leaders Do Not Learn From Their Mistakes They Will Revisit Them – Thanos said, “You could not live with your own failure, and where did that bring you? Back to me.”
- Great Teams Have Great Depth – The Avengers were aided greatly by having a second person (Rogers) able to wield Thor’s hammer.
- Successful Leaders Do Not Need All The Facts – Tony asked Stephen Strange if this battle was their once chance which would work. Strange said, “If I told you what happens, it won’t happen.”
- Once Again, Pride Goes Before Destruction And A Haughty Spirit Before A Fall – Thanos said, “I am inevitable.” He does another snaps but nothing happens because Tony had transferred the stones to his gauntlet. He then said, “I am Iron Man” and does his own snap.
- Leaders Pay A Higher Price Than Anyone Else – The snap saved the universe but cost Stark his life.
- Parker said to a dying Stark, “We won Mr. Stark. You did it sir.”
- Pepper then said to Stark, “Tony, look at me. We’re going to be OK. You can rest now.”
- During his pre-recorded eulogy, Stark said, “Everybody wants a happy ending but it doesn’t alway roll that way….
- During his pre-recorded eulogy, Stark also added, “I hoping if you play this back it’s a celebration. I hope families are united.” “
- During his pre-recorded eulogy targeted to his daughter, Stark concluded, “Part of the journey is the end… Everything’s going to work out exactly like it’s supposed to. I love you 3000.”
- Great Leaders Finish Well – On Tony’s flowers was placed his first capacitor which read “Proof that Tony Stark has a heart.”
- Great Leaders Are Inclusive – At Tony’s memorial, every Marvel character was shown.
- Successful Leaders Make Constant Changes To The Organization – Thor handed off the leadership of Asgard to Valkyrie. He said, “You’re a leader.” She replied, “You know I will make a lot of changes around here.”
- There Is No Success Without Succession – An elderly Steve Rogers handed the shield to Sam Wilson.
- Give The People What They Want – Marvel had stated the ending was going to satisfying. If Steve Rogers did not return to the 40’s and dance with Peggy Carter, I was not going to be satisfied. I left the movie satisfied.
Once again, Avengers: Endgame is absolutely one of the most incredible movies I have ever seen. I could not think of a better way to close the loop on 22 films. Go see it this weekend and have an amazing time!
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