Hero Worship
As a culture we are in love with the idea of the “hero.”
The self-made, pulled-up-by-the-bootstraps, invincible, fiercely independent conceptual ideal that has established a deeply rooted place of exaltation for centuries. I get it. I love John Wayne movies, too. But the truth is, John Wayne characters (even those based on actual people) are an illusion based on our cultural ideal of a hero. That is not to deny heroism—heroic acts are real and happening. Everyday, people are actualizing amazing deeds and achievements. The fallacy is in believing that the “hero” archetype is real.
Every one of us has been to a greater or lesser degree, affected by the people around us. That is inescapable. In addition, we are born into environments that have been crafted and built by people over eons of time. Most Americans are born into a team of caregivers and let’s not forget the person who spent nine months of her life creating us. From there, we come into contact with one person after another—shaping us, lifting us, challenging us, imprinting upon us. No solo journey is this.
Our “hero” complex is important to bring into greater awareness because of how it shapes our perceptions and hence, our world. In business, I believe this complex can run rampant and become particularly troublesome.
Fierce and stubborn independence may be an asset on the frontier, but it can be a liability in work communities.
Leaders can also distance themselves and erode loyalty by an over-identification with this archetype. People sense when others regard themselves as lone heroes. It does not translate into an invitation for others to contribute.
Companies are communities of people working together for a shared purpose.
Collaboration, collegiality and cooperation are part of the working mechanisms of healthy and productive communities. Of course, people do work, oftentimes independently and, there is room for personal nuance, idea creation and action. However, communities imply that there is a network in place to reinforce that independent contribution and support it upward.
That is the nature of a strong community and a strong company. Not only does it take a village to raise a child, it takes a work community to raise a company. Acts of heroism are and can be vital contributions to it and are often what brings a company into being. But, there are no self-made and completely independent hero’s. That’s the myth. Look closely, and you will see all the human contribution received and utilized in each of our lives, from the moment of conception to this moment right now.
Becoming a more conscious and evolved leader is an heroic act. Learn more here with this free download.