This article originally appeared at Forbes.com
As the closing credits of \u00ab\u00a0Rogue One: A Star Wars Story\u00a0\u00bb began rolling, members of the audience started to cheer.
It wasn\u2019t the first time either. \u00ab\u00a0Star Wars\u00a0\u00bb as a franchise has filled our souls with hope for decades \u2014 hope that good always triumphs evil. And, maybe even more, hope that we get to see people rise to their potential.
It\u2019s true, the movie is set \u201cin a galaxy far away,\u201d but there seem to be four real-life lessons that we could all benefit from right here on planet earth, and in our own place of business.
Don\u2019t stop at good. Aim for great
There\u2019s no doubt that George Lucas struck gold with the original \u00ab\u00a0Star Wars\u00a0\u00bb trilogy \u2014 the films were based on a solid story, created a legion of loyal fans and earned a spot in the fantasy cannon for decades to come.
But Lucas didn\u2019t stop at good enough. He kept working to create and release movies that would resonate with the next generation. Although some critics don\u2019t feel that his follow-up work compared to the original trilogy, there\u2019s no denying that Lucas had a consistent drive to grow and improve the franchise by giving more depth to the story and the characters. At Lucas\u2019 retirement, a little company named Disney saw a vision for something bigger and bought the entire franchise, giving way to expand the \u00ab\u00a0Star Wars\u00a0\u00bb universe with stories like \u00ab\u00a0Rogue One. \u00a0\u00bb
That is a lesson we all can learn from. When you create something good, give yourself a pat on the back. Then, don\u2019t stop. Don\u2019t let your momentum idle. Keep innovating, improving and working toward greatness. Research shows that most great work comes from continuous improvement, alteration and feedback loops. And going from good to great will help your work deliver a difference and wow your audience \u2014 regardless of your position or industry.
Find your force and trust in it
All \u00ab\u00a0Star Wars\u00a0\u00bb fans know about the \u00ab\u00a0Force. \u00a0\u00bb It empowers strength, wit, wisdom and courage. And it\u2019s what keeps our heroes going when everything else fails.
Although it sounds a bit far-fetched, finding a force of your own is both simple and crucial. You\u2019ve got to know what drives you. What helps you get out of bed in the morning? What fuels long nights spent working on difficult projects? Finding your force means figuring out the bigger reason and purpose behind why you do what you do.
Some soul-searching can help you discover an answer. Once you know your force, write it down and frame it somewhere you will see it daily. Then, trust it. In a recent interview with Stephen M. R. Covey, author of \u00ab\u00a0The Speed of Trust\u00a0\u00bb, trusting yourself is the first step toward building successful relationships, teams, cultures and companies.
Don\u2019t forget where you came from
The recent passing of Carrie Fischer gave the film a haunting sense of reality that a great piece of work can define your future. Realize that Fischer, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and James Earl Jones weren\u2019t very well known in the acting profession when they were hired for the original \u00ab\u00a0Star Wars\u00a0\u00bb film. But they had to start somewhere as we all do.
Reflect on your career. Or take a glimpse at your resume. Most likely you not only have listed your work experience, but also your highest achievements. Recall the moments and stories of your career that make you proud of what you\u2019ve accomplished. Remember the impact you made on someone, or some group of people. These are the instances that not only reveal where you came from, but also how you rose within your field. In fact, research shows that people who produce award-winning work share certain skills, but only one intention \u2014 to make a difference someone else loves.
Hope
It\u2019s easy for any of us to get carried away imagining the great things we\u2019ll accomplish in the future. But, it\u2019s important as leaders to realize the power we have to influence greatness in others.
We love \u00ab\u00a0Star Wars\u00a0\u00bb movies because we love cheering for the underdog. We love to see people climb to reach their potential and overcome obstacles. As leaders, we have the responsibility to do the same at work. We need to cheer for the people on our teams \u2014 not only because it\u2019s our job as leaders, but because it\u2019s the one thing research shows inspires employees the most. Recognition inspires hope \u2014 that all possibilities are within our reach.
A scene from the film might explain the power of hope better than we can. Captain Raymus Antilles enters a room. \u201cYour Highness, the transmission we received. What is it they’ve sent us?\u201d Princess Leia Organa simply responds with one powerful word, \u201c Hope.\u201d It wasn\u2019t just a message that was received. It was something far more powerful.
Just because the \u00ab\u00a0Star Wars\u00a0\u00bb galaxy is a fantasy world, doesn\u2019t mean that it doesn\u2019t impart key life lessons for us too. Use these simple but powerful lessons to empower great work in 2017 and far beyond.
David Sturt and Todd Nordstrom work with the O. C. Tanner Institute. Learn more about The New York Times bestseller \u00ab\u00a0Great Work: How to Make a Difference People Love\u00a0\u00bb (McGraw-Hill) at www.greatwork.com .<\/p>\n

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