Johnson, Party of Four

Who doesn't love a good icebreaker activity? Few things are more loved at team building activities and singles mixers than activities forcing you into the spotlight in front of people you don't know well and in some cases, don't care to know. But, there's an icebreaker activity that I rather enjoy and from my experience, most other people do too. The Three Historical Figures For Dinner question, (not sure if this thing actually has a name or not, but I'm running with this), works for me, because not only is it food-related, but it also gives me a chance to talk about people I admire and have had a significant impact on the world we live in, not just in their field, but our community as a whole.

First, I set some guidelines here and kept this one to just historical figures and didn't include family members or others I am in contact with often. There's nothing I'd like more than to chat over dinner with a couple of beloved family members who have passed once more, and there are certainly people in my life who have had a huge impact on my life (you know who you are!) who I cherish every minute I get with them. But, for the sake of the game, as it were, let's keep this one to historical figures, shall we? Outside of that, this one was fair game. Two of my dinner guests really won't surprise many of you, but the third just might. Let's get to it!

Walt Disney

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

I don't think I could ever tire of learning from Walt Disney. The creative master behind one of, if not the most recognizable brands in history continually challenged himself to always improve and learn from his stumbles. Despite what many think, Disney's success didn't happen overnight. He had many failures and falters before he finally made it and he took every opportunity to learn from those mistakes and experiences.

What I like most about him is not did he strive for excellence in everything he did, but he encouraged those around him, whether they were business executives or ride operators in Disneyland, he expected the best. The biggest difference with him compared to others is that he gave them the tools to make that happen. He wanted any experience associated with his name to be the best, no matter if it were a film or an interaction with an employee. That standard still holds today when you visit the Disney Parks, where cast members offer the highest levels of customer service and experience.

When you have a few moments, look up some quotes from this man and you'll see what I mean. He's very intelligent and funny, and despite his own insecurities, did his best to lift people up and guide them to success. Walt was one of the greatest storytellers we've seen in modern history, which not only showed in his films but also in his rides and attractions. He didn't want to just have a ride but needed that ride to tell a story and immerse the riders in a whole new world and experience.

I would love to chat with him about his ideas and where they came from or to hear about other ideas he had that never came to fruition. I would also love to hear his thoughts on what Disney has become today - the parks, films, the success of the brand. I hope that he'd be pleased.

Stan Lee

"To tell you the truth, I never thought of myself as much of a success."

To say that Stan Lee has had an impact on the pop culture world would be a massive understatement. Lee has had a hand in creating some of the most iconic comic book characters in history, giving kids someone to look up to for decades, which has carried over into their adulthood and passing their love of these characters down to their own kids. He has always included minorities and people of color in his creations, making an effort to include all walks of life, from the rich kid born with a silver spoon in his mouth, to the poor kid from Brooklyn, he left no one out. During the time of the Civil Rights movement, he created the X-Men as a way to make the current events relatable and personal, showing he was never afraid to tackle the big issues.

One of his greatest traits to me was his humility. He was a successful artist and creator, but he never let that go to his head and often said he was lucky to have been given the opportunities he had and to have the success he did.

There's not one specific thing I'd want to talk to Stan about, but just to get some never-heard-before insight on his characters and stories. He had an incredibly creative mind and to just listen to him talk about his characters would be an amazing experience.

Leonardo Da Vinci

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

This is the one that will probably surprise you. Leonardo Da Vinci could arguably be one of the greatest minds to have ever graced this planet. His art and creations are known the world over and demonstrate how before his time he really was, designing and building projects that were literally light years ahead of his time.

The quote above has always stood out to me and especially hits close to home in recent years because of my line of work, which often comes down to the little details that make an experience so memorable. While the big things in our lives often take precedence, it's often the little things that create the greatest memories and stick with us as we move forward.

To hear Da Vinci's story behind the iconic Mona Lisa - her inquisitive eyes, the slight smile; or to have him explain his designs for machines like the Aerial Screw and his fighting machine and what other ideas he had banging around that head of his. We could probably talk about the Vitruvian Man for hours on end alone.

To have these three icons at a dinner table at once would truly be an amazing experience, one that would involve and inspire so much creativity and willingness for me. I can imagine it taking place in the backroom of a cozy book store while enjoying a meal of comfort foods. That's one version of heaven for me.

Now, it's your turn. Who are some of the historical figures you'd invite to your table for an evening (or afternoon, for you more casual folks) of delicious food and intriguing conversation? I'd love to hear why you'd invite them as well.