As we prepare to break for Easter, I present a festive treat. As a life long Star Wars fan and a regular contributor to staffing and workforce management forums, I have always wanted to share my take on the wisdom thrown out by the original trilogy’s true central protagonists. In the holiday spirit, I give you: Five pieces of career guidance from the Force.
1. ‘Yoda and I will always be with you.’
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Find yourself a good mentor. Luke Skywalker basically saves the universe by listening carefully to Obi-wan and Yoda. When he’s paying attention and acting on the advice of his more experienced partner, he progresses. When he’s petulantly believing himself to be the real deal already, he endangers everything he’s working toward . There’s no harm in believing in your own abilities and pushing yourself to develop faster. But make sure you know when you’re crossing the line into overreaching. One of the key elements of effective career progression is moving at the right pace. If you’ve got someone who can provide genuine support and advice from a senior role, you’ll find it easier to make these judgments. And you may not get your hand cut off quite so easily.
2. ‘Join me and we can rule the galaxy.’
Darth Vadar
Don’t take any job, just because it’s offered. You might be looking at more power, more influence and a new title, but is it really what you want? It’s always flattering when someone wants us and it’s tempting to embrace the wrong opportunity, just because of the feelings the attention gives us. Ask yourself how you would feel if your current boss came to you and told you how great he or she thinks you are, and how important a part of the plan it is to keep you on board. This may never happen, but the thought exercise will help you to compare the real benefits of the job your considering, beyond just being wanted.
3. ‘That’s no moon, it’s a space station.’
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Pay attention to what’s happening around you. Developments in your market place could have a substantial impact on you. If you’re oblivious to major opportunities and threats, you’re at the mercy of things you cannot see coming. It’s always a good idea to stay up to date with developments in your industry and in your discipline. Read relevant publications, get online and surf productively. Nobody who sustained an entirely internal focus ever built a truly successful career.
4. ‘You will go to the Dagobah system’
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Don’t ignore training. Opportunities for development are everywhere. It may be inconvenient in the face of more pressing priorities, but sometimes you have to go sideways to go forward. Training can be refreshing and motivating, not to mention improving your hard skill set and giving you the opportunity to show your employer how serious you are about growing as a professional.
5. 'I find your lack of faith disturbing.’
Darth Vadar
Be positive. Even if things are bad, nobody likes a cynic. If you’ve noticed deficiencies in the way your organization is working, you get no credit for pointing them out and complaining about them. If you’re prepared to help solve problems and address the need for improvements in a positive and helpful way, you’ll win friends and influence people. If you’re the one who’s constantly pointing out flaws in everything around you and thinking this makes you seem clever or wise, it doesn’t. Your lack of faith in the people you work with, and the business you’re choosing to show up to every day, will only lead to resentment and mistrust. These are not the things that careers are made of.
So there you have it. A bit of fun for the Easter break. I wonder what other movie characters offer constructive career advice? If you have any, let me know.
Happy Easter Everybody.
Richard Spragg writes on various subjects including global engineering staffing and global engineering jobs.
Richard Spragg writes on various subjects including global engineering staffing and global engineering jobs.
