(Part 1 of 3)

Part 1: Becoming a Leader Like Jake Sully

In 1999, approximately 11 years ago, I saw a famous movie called “The Matrix” that totally wowed me. I saw it with my older brother Jonathan in THX. It was unbelievable. I remember it like it was yesterday: The famous Trinity freeze frame kick, Neo’s 360 degree view of dodging bullets, and the helicopter explosion.  These images are permanently imprinted in my brain. Who knew that I would be wowed again by the movie Avatar by James Cameron, the famous Director of Titanic.  He wrote the script in 1998, a year earlier the Matrix came out. This movie has revolutionized film making using the technology of video capturing- creating digital creatures on film based entirely on human actors by recording their movements and facial expressions. I witnessed animal creatures so beautiful and majestic that my jaw dropped. Also, it was my first 3-D movie experience since Michael Jackson short film “Captain EO” at Disney land. The 3-D experience of Avatar was so real, that I felt like I was in the movie.  I never want to see another great movie without 3-D glasses again.

Another reason why Avatar moved me was because of the themes.  They all resonated with me because they are all hot topic issues that we face as a country and world right now such as: war vs. peace, preemptive war, terror, destruction of nature, our addiction to natural resources such as oil and coal, greed, reverence for nature, demonstration of true leadership in times of crisis, acceptance that energy flows through all living things, loving someone of a different race, destiny vs. free will, lack of veterans benefits for our injured soldiers, addiction and obsession with video games, Blackwater and private contractors for war, the Iraq and Afghanistan war, war profiteering, redemption, and finally the triumph of good over evil.

I don’t have the time to discuss all these themes in one blog.  But let me share with you what really stood out to me.

(Spoiler Alert:If you haven’t seen the movie yet and you don’t want to know some of what happens, watch it first before you continue reading)

Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington, is the hero in the movie.  He is a marine who works for a corporation called RDA. He infiltrates a native group of people known as the Na’vi through the use of a avatar- a remote controlled biological body created from the DNA of the Na’vi and humans.  Underneath the land where a community of the Na’vi people live, called Hometree,  lies a large deposit of natural resources that is very valuable to the corporation.  Only through his experience living in the avatar body and with the Na’vi people does Jake discover something he never expected.  He falls in love with his Na’vi teacher, Neytiri, and embraces the Na’vi culture. The Na’vi view the world in a different way than humans do.  They have a different set of values, similar to Native Americans. Jake’s allegiance towards the corporation changes when RDA destroys one of the Na’vi’s sacred tree. The image of the trees destruction reminded me so much of the images of movies I grew up watching as a child such as the animated movie Ferngully and Medicine Man, staring Sean Connery.  Jake realizes that the corporation and its leaders can not be reasoned with and that they will stop at nothing to get what they want.

He eventually is inducted to become an official member of the Na’vi people.  Jake then warns the Na’vi people that the corporation is coming to destroy them and their land and that they would have to flee into the forest if they are to survive. Unfortunately for Jake, his words come too late. The Na’vi lose their trust in Jake and he is caste out of the community while he watches the Na’vi’s Hometree be destroyed. He finds himself all alone.

He wants to lead the Na’vi people to overthrow RDA.  But how does he do it? He does it with the help of friends who share the same vision.  They all choose to do a rebellious act and betray the corporation at great risk to themselves in order to help the Na’vi people.   Jake realized that he had to create an image that was so powerful that it would force the Na’vi to believe and trust him again.  He had to earn their trust and gather as many people as possible if they were to defeat the “Sky People”, which is the name the Na’vi people gave to humans.

Jake did what most Na’vi people were afraid to do, something so dangerous that only few people in the history of the Na’vi people have done.  He had to capture the most dangerous creature on the planet, the Leonopteryx, also known as Toruk or “last shadow”.  It was called “Last Shadow” because the creature  flies so high in the sky that when it comes to attack you from above, all you see is its shadow. Of course,  it is the last shadow that you will ever see before you die.

The “Last Shadow” is famous symbol for the Na’vi people.  It is a sacred creature that is legendary. Netyiri’s great grandfather rode the creature in a time of great crisis to unify the land.  He became known as Toruk Makto or “the one who rides the last shadow”.

Jake says his famous words “Sometimes your whole life boils down to one insane move”. So Jake flew up into the sky on another flying creature.  Once in the sky, he see’s the “Last Shadow” beneath him.  Then he dives down and jumps from his flying creature onto the top of the “Last Shadow”.  He succeeds and becomes the Toruk Makto.

Applications of the movie to your life:

1. Doing What’s Right

Do you ever find yourself, like Jake Sully, that you are asked to do something that goes against your morals and values? What do you do in those situations? If you are like most people, you will sacrifice your values and succumb to the peer pressure of others.  The fear paralyzes you and you do what is easy and convenient. However, it is only in those situations that your true character is tested and that you must hold up to your beliefs. If you are wondering how will I know what is right? There is a simple answer.  Usually, you just have to follow the powerful voice inside, your little Jiminy Cricket (your conscience). It is your gut, your instincts, your heart that will lead you to the right path. It is very easy to rationalize your wrong actions, which is precisely why you should listen to your heart so that you can do what is right.

2. Eliminating Fear

Jake Sully and his companions risked their lives to do what is right.  Are you afraid to do the same?  What are you afraid of?  Most people fear what other people think of them. You shouldn’t have to fear what others will think of you if doing what is noble, just, and virtuous.  Doing what is right sometimes means losing your job, or losing the respect of certain individuals.  Usually the moment when you have to make that choice, the stakes are so high that it becomes more difficult. Just keep in mind to do the right thing anyway. Why? Because there are more individuals that will respect you for doing the right thing than the easy and convenient. Even if it takes a lot of time. The only person whose opinion you should care about most is…yourself.  You are the one that has to live with the decision you make and remember, you have to live with that decision for the rest of your life.  Fear of other people disliking you, judging you, or criticizing you is not a big deal. Many famous leaders in history persevered even in the face of death. Compared to that, is your fear really that significant?  Jake Sully risked his life and so did his friends in the movie.  So your fear, whatever it is, is much smaller in comparison.

3. Taking the BIG Risk to Grow and Succeed.

Are you willing to take the BIG risk?  Living inside your comfort zone is only going to lead to a life full of regrets. You will not grow as a person.  Remember, a gem is a precious stone.  Before it was a gem, it was just an ugly rock.  Only through friction can it be polished to become something beautiful.  The same thing applies to you. You must face many obstacles to grow. You must not avoid confrontation.  It is only through confrontation that you are able to change.  So what risks have you been avoiding? Stop avoiding them and do what you need to do today.  Remember Jake Sully’s words “sometimes your whole life boils down to one insane move.” So make the move now.

4. Overcoming A Major Obstacle To Gain Respect of Others

What is the creature that you must control in order to become the next Toruk Makto.  Maybe it is something within you, such as a limiting belief that you have. Maybe it is something that you must do.  What must you do in order to earn your right to lead?  Is it getting an education?  Is it taking care of your responsibilities at your job or for your family? Is it writing that book or completing some project? You are more than capable to achieve whatever it is you want.  If there is a will, there is a way. You have what it takes to succeed.

Please share your thoughts on this blog and the Avatar movie below.

(Coming next Part 2: “Be A Sahelo Leader”)