It took James Earl Jones a little more than two hours to record all the lines for his role as Darth Vader in the first Star Wars movie. For those two hours of work, he was only paid $7,000 dollars. A booming voice in a critical role for very little pay.

Harrison Ford, who played Han Solo, was paid $10,000 for that first movie. Peter Mayhew, the man inside the costume of Chewbacca, received $450 per week. For all his production time on set that added up to $5,400 for the entire movie.

But then something happened. That first movie, Star Wars: A New Hope, grossed $775 million at the box office The movie wasn’t just a hit, it was a blockbuster. Alec Guinness, who played Obi Wan, turned down $150,000 to play the character but instead asked for 2.25% of the gross. It was a risk but one well worth it.

As a matter of fact, every actor took a risk. But the chance and effort became a series of movies that would define a generation. The original three Star Wars movies would generate $1.2 billion gross.

After the success of the first movie, all the actors secured improved contracts. Their roles became iconic characters, beloved by fans, and improved their financial status. Star Wars changed their lives.

Be patient with your life and career. There are future chapters that await you. So maybe you’re not happy with the current “script” or the pay. Ask yourself, what’s the next chapter? How can you make you’re doing now so successful that they can’t see a world without you?

Lucas couldn’t see a Star Wars without Vader, Chewbacca, and Solo. The famed director made deals that would secure those roles. He knew that his success depended on the involvement of those who made the film great.

Be great at what you do. Don’t just work a job. Pursue a passion and allow your excellence to shine. Good leadership will work tirelessly to keep you happy because you’re part of what makes the business successful. Bad leadership will think you can be replaced. Imagine Lucas trying to replace Vader’s voice after the first movie or hiring a new actor to play Han Solo or Luke Skywalker. It simply wouldn’t have been the same.

If you’re an actor in the script of the organization, keep playing the role. Be great at it. Develop a reputation for excellence and resilience.

If you’re the director of the story of the company, do whatever you can to keep the best. Thank them. Praise them. Reward them. Ask them how you can help them. Fight to keep greatness.

I realize you’re not George Lucas and you’re not filming a movie. But the script of the organization is in your hands. You determine what the next chapter will be. Keep chipping away at being better. Don’t allow the doubt of today steal the success of tomorrow. This is your story. Tell the story well. Hire the best people to chase the vision. Remove all the obstacles that could impede progress.

Be like Lucas and that original cast. Believe in the project and give it all you got. You could end up being the story, brand, company, or product of a generation.

Leadership matters,

Brian