We are barely into spring (at least in New England) and it’s already summer movie season. I am unbelievably excited. My calendar has been booked and the babysitter is on notice pretty much every week all summer. If you can’t tell, I take (a good) summer movie season very seriously.
For most of my life, I have been surrounded by comic books and their mythology. My brother is an avid fan and writes his own comics in his free time. Yes, I’m a supportive sister, but I genuinely like a good story.
Growing up watching Justice League, Avengers and other Saturday morning cartoons, as well as reading and hearing their stories, summer movie season over the last few years has been a huge treat.
To see Superman, Batman, Iron Man and Thor on the big screen takes me right back to childhood and I literally bounce in my seat like a kid while I’m watching.
We All Need Heroes
As an adult, I see superheroes a little differently than when I was a child. Now I see them as fallible and human. Individuals that use their power with a sense of great responsibility. Individuals that have both superpowers and weaknesses they have to manage.
As an adult, it is much easier to see myself in them. See the type of leader I’d like to be, and believe that it’s possible without a cape, superhuman DNA or a special suit.
What’s Your Superpower?
Every superhero has a superpower. It can be strength, cunning, ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound, or any number of amazing (usually physical) feats.
As leaders, we all have – at least the potential of – a superpower. Something about us that helps us get great results, that if abused would make us a villain instead of a hero.
Our strengths can be simple. Simplicity does not make them any less powerful. The ability to genuinely recognize the contributions of others. To admit mistakes and say “I’m sorry.” Or to create an environment free of fear, where team members can learn from mistakes.
What’s Your Kryptonite?
The flip side of our superpower is our kryptonite. Something that we struggle with. That thing that keeps us from reaching our full potential or creates damage around us.
Leadership kryptonite can take many forms. It could be a toxic relationship, inability to constructively handle conflict, or any number of other limiting behaviors.
Knowledge is True Power
Know your strengths – your superpowers. Grow and develop them. Celebrate them. I don’t suggest wearing a cape into the office, but like Tony Stark in his Iron Man suit…wear your superpowers proudly.
Like any enemy, know your kryptonite. Understand your weaknesses. Offset them or do your best to make them history. They are part of you and may never be eliminated entirely. Neither hide from them nor accept them, but know them as you know yourself so you can play to your areas of strength.
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” Sun Tzu
If you’re feeling heroic today, I’d love if you would share your superpower or how you manage your kryptonite in the comments to keep the conversation going.
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