Princess Leia

This week we travel to a galaxy far, far away to explore the leadership of Princess Leia Organa. Rebel, senator, general, and enduring symbol of hope, Leia embodies a rare blend of resilience, compassion, and decisiveness. But is she the ultimate leader, or an over-controlling micromanager?

Together, Andrew and Ellen unpack her journey from royal upbringing to frontline revolutionary, examining how she balances duty with empathy, inspires loyalty without demanding it, and navigates the challenges of leading in a male-dominated galaxy. They debate her transformational, servant, and strategic leadership styles, her emotional intelligence under pressure, and the gender dynamics that shaped her portrayal across four decades of cinema.

Would you want to work for Leia? What can today’s leaders learn from her balance of toughness and compassion? And could she really run the Avengers—or is even Earth too small for her vision? Tune in for a spirited exploration of one of sci-fi’s most iconic leaders.