Yoda’s Guide to Service Excellence: Embrace the Power of ‘Do’

While Yoda guided Luke Skywalker to master the light side of the Force, his wisdom offers surprising relevance to today’s world of customer service. Yoda’s teachings can remind us to approach our work with purpose, resilience, and clarity. One quote stands out: “Do or do not. There is no try.” This commitment resonates deeply in a landscape where meeting high expectations requires both effort and excellence.

In today’s fast-paced world, service expectations have evolved dramatically. Thanks to technology and instant connectivity, clients expect service that’s not only reliable but also proactive and insightful. Building relationships remains key, but it’s no longer enough on its own. Successful customer service now requires a strategic blend of rapport, results, and data-driven insights that deliver real value. Navigating these high expectations might feel daunting, but Yoda’s reminder rings clear: our commitment must go beyond simply trying. We must do if we want to inspire trust and loyalty in our clients – and enjoy our own growth and satisfaction along the way!

Saying, “I’ll try,” reflects hesitation—a readiness to quit at the first sign of a challenge. It’s like saying, “I will try to resist the chocolate cake” instead of, “I will resist the chocolate cake.” The former leaves room for temptation; the latter reflects a determined choice. Yoda reminds us that achieving impactful results isn’t about “trying” but fully committing to our goals. Great customer service means committing to every interaction and every promise we make to our clients.

A similar perspective can be found in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s latest book, Be Useful—highly recommended in audiobook form, especially for Arnold’s humor and passion! In his book, Arnold emphasizes the importance of dreaming big, holding ourselves accountable, and focusing on a bold Plan A without relying on a fallback plan. As he puts it, “Plan B is to accomplish Plan A.” This idea is a modern echo of Yoda’s guidance: focus on what matters, commit fully, and don’t let a Plan B distract you from reaching your potential.

So, let’s commit to delivering real value to our clients. Every day, we have the opportunity to solve evolving challenges. With an open mind and a commitment to continuous learning, we can ensure that our clients benefit in meaningful ways. And when our clients succeed, we’re reminded of our purpose—to be truly customer-driven.

Here’s to doing, not just trying.

This article originally ran on Fleet Management Weekly.