Until we live in an enlightened age when May 4th is recognized as an intergalactic holiday, it’ll have to suffice that we can dream up reasons to talk about Star Wars and work at the same time.
What better way to commemorate this day than to revisit some of my favorite Star Wars quotes, and how they relate to your organization or tech today? (Yes, I can also think of better ways to celebrate today, but I’ve not yet found a way to get paid for them.)
“You can’t stop change any more than you can stop the suns from setting.” Shmi Skywalker
Change is constant; disruption is the new normal; you need to be the change before you’re overtaken by it. For the last couple of years, the tech sector has heard “disruption” nearly constantly. Once you accept that change is constant, and that it can be empowering, it’s actually an incredible Force for good.
“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” Yoda
Sorry, Yoda, I disagree. If anything, finding a successful model of anything is a continual cycle of try, fail, learn, adapt, try again. The trick is figuring out exactly what works and what doesn’t. (We can help with that.)
“Somebody has to save our skins.” Princess Leia
Anyone in content, marketing, or PR knows and uses this quote frequently. It’s usually whispered in snarled tones about a salesperson or engineer that tried to (gasp!) speak in regular human-talk to a client or potential customer.
“I find your lack of faith disturbing.” Darth Vader
Every programmer and engineer, ever, while explaining a new product/app/feature to the content, marketing, and PR staff.
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
A form of this quote is heard in all eight of the Star Wars films, every staff meeting that starts at 4:00 on a Friday, and at corporate retreats when the karaoke machine is wheeled into the room; frequently followed by, “It’s a trap!” as people try to dash out of the room.
“Never tell me the odds.” Han Solo
Though, sometimes the odds are good to know, especially when you’re trying to deliver top-tier customer engagement at hyperdrive pace.