May the Fourth be with you...

Like most other Gen X kids, I was obsessed with Star Wars in the late 70's and early 80's.  Epic wrapping paper tube/light saber battles erupted constantly in the living room as Mark Hamill shag hair grew to glory. Even today, I can recite virtually every word of the original trilogy, and I've probably seen The Empire Strikes Back 200 times.  Nerd alert.

For someone who isn't naturally star struck (I met many celebrities in my former hotel career, including Aretha Franklin, Sidney Poitier, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Christina Aguilera and Slash), if Harrison Ford walked up to me today, I'd probably hug him.  Who, I ask, is cooler than Han Solo/Indiana Jones/Jack Ryan?  That would be no one.  NO ONE.

As we celebrate George Lucas's legendary movies today, I'd like to share my favorite leadership quotes by the Jedi Master, Yoda, that you can embody today when managing your team of padawans...and some Yoda facts that might win you a trivia game in the future.

"Control, control, you must learn CONTROL!"  How many times do you lash out, let your thoughts slip through your lips, or wear your opinions on your sleeve?  Yoda was the model of control, rarely showing emotion (no ultimate highs, no ultimate lows) but always showing leadership...sturdy as a rock.

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”  Fear prevents us from acting...fear of asking for the sale because we're afraid they'll say no.  Fearing to ask out the pretty girl.  Fear of failure.  The "What if's" will consume you for eternity...and you'll suffer for it.

Luke:  "I don't believe it."  Yoda:  "That...is why you fail."  Steadfast belief in themselves and in others is a characteristic of the world's most successful businessmen.  Richard Branson, Warren Buffett, Jack Ma.  Each would have failed miserably had they not had the will to push on, even when others didn't believe in them.

"A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack."   Every Sensei I've ever met preaches never to use fighting skills for aggression, only for defense.  Remember Daniel vs. Johnny in Karate Kid?  

"Judge me by my size, do you?"  Napoleon Bonaparte, Andrew Carnegie, Peter Dinklage...all very short (maybe not Yoda-size) and, with the exception of a certain Russian invasion, successful.

"Do, or do not.  There is no try."  One of the best quotes of all-time, those that have never watched the movies have quoted it.  I really like how Michael Hyatt via a Tony Robbins exercise describes Do vs. Try here.

As promised, here's a bit of good Yoda trivia for you - 

• "Yoda" is Sanskrit for "Warrior".
• Yoda's original name was Minch Yoda, shortened after the first draft of the screenplay.
• Yoda was exactly 900 years old when he died.
• Yoda's creator, puppeteer and voice was that of Frank Oz, who also voiced Muppet comedian Fozzie Bear..."waka, waka"!  Thank the maker...he was almost played by a monkey with a cane.

Enjoy your May 4th...and may the Force be with you.