In this follow-up to last week’s deep dive on Anakin Skywalker, Andrew and Ellen step into the shadow of the Empire to explore leadership lessons from Darth Vader. Ruthless yet composed, feared yet strangely effective, Vader represents the ultimate case study in control, delegation, and emotional suppression.

They debate whether Vader was, in fact, a better manager than Anakin, how his place within a structured hierarchy brought out his strengths, and why emotional detachment can look like power, but lead to failure. Along the way, they draw parallels with modern leadership pitfalls: micromanagement, authority without empathy, and the illusion of control.

Expect some surprising praise for the Empire’s organisational design, and a few crossovers into Star Trek and The Boys. Leadership may not always be a force for good—but it’s certainly strong with this one.

In this first of a two-part exploration, Andrew and Ellen delve into the rise, and rapid unraveling of Anakin Skywalker. Once the galaxy’s most promising Jedi, Anakin’s story is a masterclass in unfulfilled potential and emotional volatility. From his precocious brilliance and battlefield instincts to his catastrophic lack of emotional regulation, we unpack how the Jedi Order’s rigid system, flawed mentorship, and poor support structure created a perfect storm for his downfall.

Was Anakin doomed from the start, or simply failed by those around him? And could the right mentor (or executive coach) have saved him from turning to the dark side?

Ellen and Andrew step into the shadows with Natasha Romanoff, aka. Black Widow, the spy, the assassin, the Avenger, and, perhaps, the most emotionally intelligent leader in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

From her Red Room origins to her quiet command of the post-snap Avengers, we unpack how Black Widow’s empathy, adaptability, and moral complexity make her the unsung heart of Earth’s mightiest heroes. We explore her evolution from lone wolf to team glue, her mentor-like influence on Captain America and Hulk, and why emotional intelligence beats bravado every time.

Plus: what would happen if Black Widow swapped universes? Could she outsmart Homelander, survive on the Wall, or outrank Riker on the Enterprise?