Human Leaders or Hero Leaders
Superman, the hero chronicle considered to be the most iconic of legends, hails the Man of Steel as the greatest protector of all time.?As a larger-than-life hero, he uses his power for good and is celebrated for representing humanity at its very best.?Extracting his power from the sun, Superman is equipped with a boundless supply, never utilizing his full strength, and always leaving us ordinary humans in awe of his infinite power.
Highlighting the classic story of Superman as the starter of this feature is intentional, as it creates a logical backdrop from which to uncover the similar yet distinct super-powers and qualities of hero leaders and human leaders, especially those who’ve been put to the ultimate test, experiencing victories and defeats, and everything else in between.?Hopefully, it is the bold contrast that will be evident, and more front of mind when organizations are seeking to hire an executive, as often they are in search of a hero leader, when in fact, they should be pursuing a human leader.?A clear distinction between the two has always existed.
Superhero stories are purposefully designed to captivate and entertain, with fantastical elements that trigger dreaming about the infinite possibilities afforded to those with superpower characteristics.?But when thrust back into reality and not immersed in imagination, the real-life superpowers of human leaders can be perceived as those underlying traits of the folk who’ve survived professional fluctuations, extreme uncertainty, workplace disruption and existential crises, as to lead effectively is to live dangerously.?
I believe it is the intentions and responses of leaders who have been put to the test, the literal forces and influences that should grab a recruiter’s attention, as they may very well have uncovered a real-life hero disguised as an authentic leader.?It is ultimately leaders who, through motivation, communication, and vision, accept responsibility and control, carrying out the many accountabilities not within a heroes’ scope or purview, the things that are implausible or off limits to such fictional characters.?
Heroes and leaders show courage, go above and beyond, sacrifice themselves for the greater good, and execute seemingly impossible tasks.?In contrast to that, “Heroes overcome obstacles; Leaders create lasting change. Heroes act alone; Leaders get things done with and through others.?Heroes achieve the impossible; Leaders enable others to reimagine what is possible.?Heroes solve problems in the moment; Leaders create lasting change.”[1]?
Who is it you need at the helm of your organization??What blend of qualities and experience will best serve the widespread challenges existing in the increasingly unpredictable business and work environments today and into the future??
Perhaps the account of a real leader with proven ability to lead with their heart, mind, and soul, even throughout the most difficult of experiences would be a powerful means by which to position these perspectives.?Hopefully it will bring to light the return on investment for those organizations alert to the vast benefits of pursuing and signing up such individuals.
?Directly below is a true to life tale, not a comic, myth, or work of fiction.?A story where the main character, although respected for her courage, achievements, and noble qualities, is not a heroine, but a genuine passionate leader.?
A woman who possesses a bold panoramic grasp of the powerful changes to the work and volunteer landscapes of the 21st century, fueled by unwavering drive and passion for making meaningful impact, guided by the pillars of professional ethics and personal integrity.?A leader who did her utmost to make a profound and lasting difference in the lives of those she was chosen to serve.?A hot off the press narrative of a time-tested leader who proudly possesses the modest of human qualities – care, compassion, and integrity, ultimately shielding her as she endured, and eventually surmounted, professional misfortune, earning her the most noble of characteristics or powers - resilience, strength, and perseverance, while bolstering her ever present moral courage.
Once upon a time … there was a little girl born in a small town, raised as the eldest of three, in a loving home by kind, honest, and hard-working parents, surrounded by her caring extended family, a wide circle of friends, and a tightknit community, taught by many passionate and dedicated schoolteachers, girl guide leaders, and swimming, skating, and soccer coaches.?A little girl who grew up believing she could achieve anything she wanted because she knew she was the beneficiary of a winning combination that afforded her a solid foundation from which to flourish.?Endowed with kindness, courage, and compassion as her inner super-powers, she set out on her life’s journey to care for and serve others from a young age.
Fast forward through high school and onto university, where she completed her first degree, immediately beginning what would be a lasting and rewarding career in the helping profession.?Over the next fifteen years, she conquered many momentous feats, conferred with an added professional credential and a graduate degree, concurrently advancing her vocation through seven diverse positions, a combination of promotions and newly designed roles.?Then came the moment where she chose to broaden her horizons, expand her knowledge, and share her passion for helping others, transitioning into a different sector, one where she immediately resumed the same recurring opportunity for eighteen more years.?Opportunity that among many victories in both her work and volunteer portfolios, saw her elevate and propel a less than reputable organization through innovation, transformation, and moral courage.
?But then, out of nowhere, she was pierced by unexpected adversity and her energy, dynamism, and ableness were all frozen in time.?This confident, composed, and optimistic professional, with a 30 plus year career, was left immobilized, quickly recognizing that the endless hours of commitment and dedication to her studies, her profession, her employers, her teams, her clients, her colleagues, her community, her friends, and her volunteer associations, along with her optimism, her bigheartedness, and her ‘service above self motto’, were not enough to protect her from being a target.?
?A visionary, authentic leader was halted in her tracks by a ruthless team of predators with their own agenda and no concern for the casualties they would leave in their wake.?An agenda that exposed a lack of merit for the organization, the people and the community, just another real-life example of inept decision makers abusing power, trampling on the very persons they were elected to serve, while deliberately seeking to destroy the exact individual who initiated, led, and completed the successful transformation of their organization’s frightful reputation, while elevating it as the longstanding community asset it was, all at the same time of caring for, leading, and protecting hundreds and hundreds of respective clients, partners, and associates.
Immediately branded as the direct victim of their hostile takeover, she was left mentally and emotionally paralyzed, while her team was exposed to fear-mongering tactics through the collective actions of a cruel self-interested group of aggressors.?Invaders posturing as saviours, intentionally scaring all left in their wake, manipulating them using exaggerated words, beliefs, and stories of impending danger for anyone who dare step up or speak out about the unjust harassment and falsehoods being emitted toward their leader or about the sudden downward spiral of the organization and all the people in it.?There was an exhaustive list of co-conspirators, accomplices, and sidekicks, even a henchman.?Those who spun the truth through deception, where facts were altered and omitted with the intent to influence the perspective of the situation.?From the outset, it was widely known the assault was an act of injustice and the lack of intervention by those who had the power to make a difference, finds each of them forever culpable.
Just like in the superhero movies, she was a selfless role model with a mission to positively impact her, team, clients, organization, community, and sector.?She endured sacrifice and loss and was presented with difficult choices.?The price she had to pay for being who she was.?It took time for her to come to the realization that the failure was not her own, in fact it had nothing to do with her, her leadership, or her commitment.?
Upon extended reflection, and endless love and support from her inner circle, she easily decided that before ever putting her heart and soul into any other endeavour, she must have a guarantee that the whole of it was aligned with her values, beliefs, and morals, from the Board of Directors to the President, from the mission to the vision, and from the team to the consumers.?Values founded on the premise of truth and honesty, belief in the worth of each and every person, respecting and accepting diversity, with moral integrity upheld and courage to act by one’s convictions favoured.
Wholeheartedly aware that her energy, time, and passion are precious commodities, gives her the guarantee that she will only ever share them with an entity that openly and in secret values people over dollars.?All people, regardless of position, ethnicity, colour, gender identity, or age. ?A personal commitment that inevitably narrows her options but allows her the most sought-after luxury of all - staying true to her internal standards, a pledge that will forever be her priority.
The moral of the story is, although this now ‘Executive in Waiting’, couldn’t save herself, her people, or her community from villain like behaviors, as a superhero might have done, her true success rests in knowing she survived great loss and came out on the other side filled with hope and optimism for humanity, and that her resilient, fearless, and true grit mindsets are the latest trio rounding off her list of qualities or super-powers.?
As for her plan to re-illuminate her energy, dynamism, and ableness, so the true value of her powers as a sophisticate who innately harnesses her personal core values and beliefs in serving others, can be redeemed, she has excitedly defined a stretch goal - to identify and connect with as many authentic dynamic leaders and bold difference makers as she possibly can.?Bona fide trailblazers who are, have, or want to convert the scars on their heart, spirit, soul, and mind, into stars.
It is also her intention to share her story in an honest and humble manner that inspires others, offering mechanisms for coping through professional adversity to all who may be searching for meaning in loss and trauma, supporting them as they discover their strengths, so they too can use them for good purpose and go forward, confident in who they are.
Trusting this true story gives pause for consideration, a moral tale that clarifies who it is you should be searching for - a finely experienced and aware individual with leadership superpowers that above all else, includes leading with authenticity, drawing from the heart, mind, and soul.?A brave and experienced warrior, proudly donning her badges of honor - resilience, fearlessness, and determination, leveraging those very strengths in the service of others, internally sounding her mantra “I am stronger than the storm”.
[1] Heroes Vs. Leaders, Forbes Magazine, November 21, 2021?