Snakes, a whip, and what leaders can learn from Dr. Jones
My college senior daughter and I have been playing video games in the evenings this week. Specifically, the Indiana Jones Lego games.
It was her idea for Father’s Day, that we reconnect our old Nintendo Wii console and play the games that we played when she was in middle school.
Last night was our fourth day of playing, and I found myself wondering what leadership qualities we could draw from Harrison Ford’s lead character (also played by the late River Phoenix in 1989’s Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade).
Throughout the series, which started with 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark and continued through 2023’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Indy often steps into the unknown, facing challenges without a full plan but with a clear sense of purpose. He relies on his experience, instincts, and moral compass — and just as importantly, he surrounds himself with allies who shore up his strengths and complement his weaknesses.
Here are three qualities that stood out: courage, adaptability, and staying grounded in your principles.
Courage over certainty: Leaders often need to move forward without perfect information. Indy often has some but not all of the puzzle, yet presses forward anyway. Thoroughly analyzing our path is a positive, but often we’ll have to press ahead with incomplete information and “rouse ourselves to action,” as the Roman philosopher Seneca said.
Adaptability: Whether it’s dodging traps or switching strategies, his success depended on flexibility — a crucial skill for any leader navigating change. With adversaries masquerading as friends or pitfalls appearing around every bend, Dr. Jones was always adapting to a new set of circumstances.
Hold firm to your principles: Indiana consistently chooses what’s right over what’s easy — putting integrity over personal gain. He’s confronted by the riches of antiquity, but as he says repeatedly in The Last Crusade and then in The Dial of Destiny: “It belongs in a museum!” For him, it’s his purpose—a purpose that drives his relentlessness, even in the face of grave danger.
Great leaders don’t have all the answers — but they act with courage, adapt quickly, and stay true to their values.
Have a great day (and if your child wants to hang out and play games with you, go for it)!
~ Nathan
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