When you seek for your MSP business to progress, you are going to need the power of wisdom in your arsenal. Now wisdom is not something you can acquire as easily as purchasing a toothpaste from the local grocery store. It is going to take years of experience, the right attitude and a whole lot of refinement from trials and challenges. Nevertheless, wisdom can also be gained from wise people. In this case, we are going to delve into precious business lessons from the ultimate Jedi Master Yoda.
“Do or do not. There is no try.”
This is probably the most memorable if not the best quote of the entire Star Wars saga. It is the incredible last line that helped Luke finally lift out his X-wing from the swamps by being serious and believing that he can do it. If you really want to succeed in the IT services industry, you need to be deliberate about it. Do not permit yourself and your staff to just ‘try’ as this is an unconscious acknowledgment of failure. It is time to make things happen!
“Wars not make one great.”
In the movie The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda told Luke this line after the young Jedi refused his help (not being the ‘great warrior’ he needed help from). Yoda here emphasizes that greatness is not measured by violence. In the context of your MSP business, you will encounter many customers and competitors who will test your company’s services and reputation, and you might be tempted to respond in aggressive or tasteless ways. You only need to show that you can provide the IT solutions your customers need and believe in what your business has to offer. Another awesome Yoda line backs this up – “A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.”
“You must unlearn what you have learned.”
Yoda wanted Luke to learn that what he believed to be true is what kept him from lifting his spacecraft with the Force. Throughout our lives, we pick up a lot of knowledge, practices, and dogmas that have become antiquated. Many business people do not realize this and they continue to use such practices expecting to have great results. It is time to recognize what are these outdated methods and strategies you need to unlearn and explore your imaginative and creative side.
“Patience you must have, my young padawan”
Luke was impatient and angry when he met Yoda in Dagobah. The line reminded Luke that learning and becoming a Jedi takes a lot of patience. Your IT business won’t become successful overnight. It is going to take a lot of effort, time, and patience before you reap the fruits of your labor.
“Always pass on what you have learned.”
Before Yoda died, he instructed Luke to pass on his wisdom to others. As you grow in your business wisdom, it is essential that you share whatever you have learned to your employees and to other companies. You can do this by writing blogs and books, uploading podcasts, or being a speaker at forums and expos.
Yoda showed Luke the ways of the Force just as the MSP veterans who have much knowledge about the MSP business world can help you on your way up. Therefore, it is time for you to seek wisdom and learn as much as you can from the industry’s sages. A powerful quote from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow says, “A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years mere study of books.”
May the Force be with you!
