We all have choices in life. We all get to decide who we want to be and what type of leader we want to be known as.
There are so many great leaders that came from nothing. But because they made the right choices along the way, they rose through the ranks and accomplished great feats. They came from poverty or a dysfunctional environment to become tremendous leaders. We all have these same choices to become great leaders.
I am reminded of our options whenever I watch one of my favorite movie series, Indiana Jones. I am a huge fan of this series. I think I like the movies because they are more than just a college professor on a crusade, or an opportunity for Spielberg to show off his fancy graphics. For me, these movies are more about one person’s quest to find out who he is, and what matters most in his life.
My favorite scene from the trilogy is from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. Indiana and the crew are faced with making a choice of picking the Holy Grail. The Grail Knight is a classic character. He is a frail old man with a soft voice. He says to Donovan, the Nazi protagonist, "You must choose, you must choose wisely, as for the true grail will bring you life, the false grail will take it from you.”
Donovan then asked Schneider, the Austrian doctor the Nazi’s recruited to help them find the Holy Grail, which vessel was the true Holy Grail. Schneider selects the most beautiful, bright, and princely Grail. After assuring himself that the fancy Grail was in fact the cup of the King of Kings, Donovan filled it with water and takes a drink, expecting eternal life. But to his horror, he instead begins to age instantly.
The Knight then observed that Donovan had chosen poorly. Classic.
Recognizing that the true Grail would be the cup of a carpenter, Indiana Jones then selected the most humble of chalices and proved its authenticity by drinking from it and surviving.
We all have choices and our choices have consequences. Are we making our choices based on glitz and glamour or are we making decisions based on how it will help our teams? Next time you have a choice to make, remember Indiana Jones and choose wisely.
Until next time…I’m Marty, make every minute count.
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