Skip to main content

“Use the Force Luke!”


So far this blog has been based solely on Finding Nemo quotes, which in itself is awesome.  But while on the computer dealing with a technical issue I suddenly realized that at that moment I was channelling my inner ‘Anger’, like from the movie Inside Out and I thought, it’s not just finding Nemo that gives us amazing leadership lessons!  There are tons of them out there. So today I am expanding my scope. 

So to start off.. let's go with the first Star Wars.  No, I don’t mean the newer one with that Jar Jar Binks guy, I mean the original.  If any of you were like me, the first time we met Luke we were wondering “how is this whiny guy going to do anything to save the universe?”  I mean really, his line  "But I was going into Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!" That line alone made it hard to have much faith in the guy. 




So here is where we get to the leadership lesson in all of this.  And it is one that is pretty good for life too. You can’t judge a book by its cover.  This skinny little “whiney b*$ch” (the internets description, not mine) turns out to have a lot to offer.  Sure, he made mistakes, was a little hot-headed, needed some improved listening skills and tended to panic when the group was in trouble - BUT with the right mentor, he grew up.  He mastered The Force (which trust me, is REALLY hard), he is loyal, persistent (I mean he lost a hand and still hung on, that’s impressive), empathetic and courageous. 


So what if Yoda or Obi-Wan Kenobi had given up on him? Hadn’t given him a chance? Or failed to see his true POTENTIAL? Well, we would be ruled by the Sith, and the Death Star could have annihilated us.  So before you dismiss someone, look for the potential that lives within.  And may the force be with you.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Holding on too tight - not much fun for little Harpo.

“Well, you can’t never let anything happen to him. then nothing would ever happen to him. Not much fun for little Harpo.” Marlin : What is going on?! Dory : I'll check! Waaaaaaaaaa... Marlin : No, no more whale, you can't speak whale! Dory : Yes, I can! Marlin : No, you can't! You think you could do these things, but you can't, Nemo! [ stops and gasps ] Dory : Okay! [ lets go ] Marlin : Dory! [ grabs her ] Dory : He says, "It's time to let go". Everything's going to be all right. Marlin : How do you know, how do you know something bad isn't gonna happen?! Dory : I don't! This scene in Finding Nemo makes a great point... sometimes we hold on so tight that we are actually holding others back.  We make a lot of assumptions on the qualifications of others, and some may be bang on, but what about the assumptions that aren't? How much potential are we missing within our organizations by never letting go enough for ou

Hold on to your butts!

“Hold onto your butts.” First of all, it should be said that Jurassic Park is my favourite movie, of all time, bar none. Why? It’s got everything. Relationship building, action, adventure, humour and it has freakin' dinosaurs!  But I digress. One of the biggest takeaways from this movie, leadership-wise, is that we can too heavily dependent on one person.  Sam Jackson’s character in the movie says “I can't get Jurassic Park back online without Dennis Nedry.” And that's when everything hits the fan. The fences are down, the man-eating raptors are out, Lex and Tim are out in the park with raging beasts, Malcolm has been tossed by a t-rex, and the tour has taken on some serious casualties. Not to mention the extensive damage to the vehicles on site which were top of the line - they spared no expense. Plus, a guy gets eaten while sitting on the toilet.  Not a way anyone wants to go.   So what could have saved them from this ill fate?  Other people knowing how t

Are You a Marlin or a Dory?

Have you ever had the opportunity to be a part of a dream team?… We mean a team where you all enjoy each other, accomplish tasks efficiently, and succeed with minimal issues? Let us tell you, these teams do exist! Whether you’re at the office, at home, at school, or inside of Dr. Phillip Sherman’s fish tank, there are communication skills that you can contribute to the group, to create your very own DREAM TEAM! First of all, effective communicate is key! If you’re a direct communicator in a group of expressive, emotional communicators, chances are, you need to change your communication style. Remember this, people will not change their communication styles for you, YOU need to change your style for them! Now, imagine this: You’re swimming in the great blue. There are only two of you. One with the name of Marlin, and one with the name of Dory. Now Marlin, he’s a cool guy - he’s a leader. BUT, he communicates with authority, he’s very to-the-point, and he’s determined to strive for succe