17 Leadership Quotes And Lessons From Midway The Movie

It is time to update my The Top 20 Leadership Movies Of The Last 20 Years!  Midway, directed by Roland Emmerich, is incredible!  This movie chronicles the events following the Pearl Harbor attack including the Doolittle Raid and of course, the battle of Midway which turned the Pacific Conflict on WWII in America’s favor.

Like many of today’s war movies, the action is amazing.  What I really liked about Midway though was the movie centers on real people and tells their individual stories during this pivotal time in American history.

I don’t think there is a better way to spend Veteran’s Day Weekend than seeing this movie.  There is some language but these are pilots in the midst of life-or-death combat after all.  But this was two hours that just flew by.  You will be blown away by the bravery of the men in this film.

The following are 17 Leadership Quotes And Lessons From Midway The Movie.  Make sure you click on the hot links of the military leaders quoted.  These are true heroes.

1. One of the Japanese commanders who studied in America said, “I thought there was value in studying your adversary.”
2. Practice With Game Situations And At Game Speed – Lieutenant Richard “Dick” Best, the featured fighter pilot in the movie, trained by doing things such as practicing bomber dives to less than 2000 feet and turning his plane off during carrier landings to simulate possibly running out of fuel during battle.  Ironically, both situations occurred during Midway.  Whether you are in athletics, sales, or other professions, always practice gameday situations at gameday speeds.
3. After bombing Pearl Harbor, a Japanese commander said, “We have awaked a sleeping giant and filled him with terrible resolve.”
4. Great Leaders Operate Outside Of Their Comfort Zones.  They Are Comfortable Being Uncomfortable. – When assigned leadership of the entire Pacific fleet by President Roosevelt, Admiral Chester Nimitz was told, “Welcome to the most difficult job in the world.”
5. Past Mistakes Do Not Have To Define You – Lieutenant Commander Edwin T. Layton said, “I was the intelligence officer who oversaw the greatest intelligence failure in United States history.”
6. You Remain Calm Under Pressure By Trusting Your Training And Preparation – Lt Best remained incredibly calm and focused during fire fights because of his focus, training and preparation.  Your level of confidence during times of stress and crisis is in direct proportion to your training and preparation.  Prepared leaders are calm leaders.
7. A Man’s Performance In Every Area Of His Life Is In Direct Proportion To His Wife’s Confidence In Him – Lt. Best’s wife said, “I’ve been married long enough to know my husband’s talents.”
8. Great Leaders Cast Great Vision – Even though it was probably going to be a suicide mission, Colonel Doolittle cast such a great vision for what their raid would do for America, he received unanimous participation from his troops.
9. Successful Leaders Build Quality Grids For Decision-Making – Lt. Layton said, “Washington (D.C.) was starting from faulty assumptions and made decisions from there.”
10. Successful Leaders Never Confuse Activity With Accomplishment.  They Value Results. – Admiral Nimitz said of his eccentric coders and analysts, “I don’t care if he consults coffee grounds while leading the boogie boogie if his intel is good.”
11. Successful Leaders Hold Others Accountable – Lt. Best told his team of pilots, “Don’t be the man who let’s down the squadron when we finally face the Japs.”
12. Successful Leaders Are Willing To Have Hard Conversations – Lt. Best told one of his pilots, “I wish I had the luxury to worry about your confidence but I’m short on pilots.  Suck it up!”
13. Trust Is The Foundation Of Any Successful Relationship – Admiral Nimitz said, “I trust Layton and his tea.  Make your plans accordingly.”
14. Luck Matters – “Every battle needs a miracle.”
15. A Leader’s Most Valuable Resource Is Their Memory – “If you know you came through when people were counting on you, you can face anything.”
16. Everything Rises And Falls On Leadership – One of the pilots said, “Guys like Dick Best is why we’re going to this war.”
17. Vice Admiral William “Bull” Halsey, played by Dennis Quaid, said, “God bless the boys.  Turns out all they needed was a fair fight.”

Once again, Midway is a great movie!  Go see it this weekend and give thanks to all veterans when you meet them.

My book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices Of Apex Leaders is available for purchase.  If you have ever wanted to become the leader God created you to be, this book is for you!  By combining leadership lessons from biblical heroes like Jesus, Daniel and Joseph, along with modern day leaders like Bill Gates, Nick Saban, Kobe Bryant and multiple pastors, Timeless will equip and inspire you.  This book is not to be read alone.  Discussion questions are included in each chapter allowing you to develop those in your circle of influence.  Click HERE or on the image provided and order your copies TODAY.