Every leader is at the core an agent of change. If you are just maintaining or running your group, you are a manager. Leadership implies change. Changing people isn’t easy, especially if you want to do it without coercion or authoritative power. How do you go about initiating change? Well, let’s look at how Obi-Wan Kenobi did it in Star Wars, A New Hope.

Some background information

Luke is a rural farm boy, who is being raised by his Uncle Owen. His father is Anakin Skywalker, whom he believes to be dead. Luke is unaware that Anakin is alive and is now Darth Vader. Obi-Wan Kenobi is an old Jedi that has been hiding as a hermit for about 25 years. Until now, he has never revealed his true identity.

Identity is at the core of change

Luke believes his father was not a Jedi, but just a common navigator on a spice freighter. Obi-Wan reveals that Luke’s father was an accomplished Jedi with Obi-Wan, but Luke’s Uncle Owen hid it from Luke because he didn’t share his ideals.

Obi-Wan lies to Luke about what happened to his father. He conceals the truth. Obi-Wan facilitated Luke’s change from being a farm boy to being a Jedi, by changing his identity association from his Uncle Owen to his true father, the good Jedi, Anakin Skywalker. Obi-Wan hides the fact that Anakin became Darth Vader because that would hinder Luke’s transformation.

Worldview is at the core of change

Obi-Wan gives Luke’s father’s lightsaber to Luke. Again, Obi-Wan reinforces that Uncle Owen wouldn’t allow it for fear that he would run off on an idealistic crusade. Obi-Wan explains that a lightsaber is elegant and civilized as opposed to a blaster that is clumsy and random. Jedi were the guardians of peace for 1000 generations.

Obi-Wan explains the Force to Luke, and in that he facilitates Luke’s change by opening his eyes to a larger worldview that includes lightsabers and the Force. He explained the rich history of the galaxy and gave context to the current dark times under the Empire.

Crisis is at the core of change

Through R2-D2’s recorded message, Princess Leia pleads Obi-Wan for help. “You are my only hope.” After a long pause, Obi-Wan concludes that Luke must join him on his quest to help Princess Leia. “I’m getting too old for this sort of thing.” Luke resists: “There’s nothing I can do about it right now.” “I’m late.” Obi-Wan responds: “That’s your Uncle talking.” “Learn to use the force!”

Obi-Wan changed from being an old hermit to being an active Jedi from the urgent plea of Princess Leia. The urgency and desperation mustered a duty and loyalty to respond. This crisis wasn’t quite enough for Luke yet. When Luke returns home, he sees that his childhood home has been burned down and his Aunt and Uncle have been killed by the Empire. Now, the crisis is personal, and his transformation is complete.

Now it’s your turn

While it’s fun to analyze this scene from Star Wars, these are very practical techniques you can put into practice in your own leadership. Follow the same formula using Identity, Worldview, and Crisis. Leaders need to decouple people from old, unhealthy identities, and help them affiliate with their new, transformed identities before they can change. Leaders need to address followers’ worldviews and bring larger context to what needs to change and identify new sources of power to make the change.

Finally, good people can get set in their ways, and need a leader to identify a compelling crisis that affects them personally before they can become willing to change. Address each of these, and like Obi-Wan and Princess Leia, you will effectively lead your team to transform and embrace change.

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