When most people think of leadership, we think of the people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and various world leaders. While taking my introduction leadership course which included a movie analysis, I soon realized there are leaders beyond the usual and even beyond our reality. Imagine a world very much like ours, but distinctly different, that many think of only as entertainment – the comic book world and, in my case, the Marvel Universe.
Yes, we’re talking Spider-Man, Avengers, X-Men and all the other characters we see children (and some adults) dress up as on Halloween.
The Marvel Universe is a very diverse and eclectic yet relatable universe, which has been around for over seventy-five years. Although full of cosmic wonder, this universe has developed incredibly layered characters that fans have connected to. Writers and artists have breathed life into these animated creations long before they reached movie screens. Although comics are now part of a successful cinematic franchise that interests hardcore comic book fans and casual movie fans alike, they teach us about ourselves and humanity in the leadership capacity. How do they?
Look at the assembly team, the Avengers along with its leader, Nick Fury. He had to take five very distinctly different yet strong leaders (Tony Stark – Iron Man, Bruce Banner – Hulk, Steve Rogers – Captain America, Clinton Barton – Hawkeye, and Natasha Romanova – Black Widow), in a way five small businesses, and build solid relationships so that they could reach the ultimate goal – saving the world from utter destruction. When put in that context, he sounds more like a CEO. With the help of Dr. Fero and Dr. Herman’s book Lead Me Out to the Ballgame, at least three leadership qualities stand out.
Lead by example
Fury would not ask of anyone to perform a task that he would not do himself. He was willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice, which also proved that he supported his people because he cared about their wellbeing. He embodied the attributes that he wanted his team to emulate. He let them know that although he led them operationally, he was willing to defer to other members which might have more expertise such as Rogers (Captain America), for the betterment of the team.
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If you want to lead people, rather than telling them where you want them to go, show them the way. It will make more of an impact and will be easier for your followers to remember.
Know your people
Fury understood that although they are a team, they are also individuals from different cultures with distinctive experiences and how to interact with each one accordingly. When recruiting the egotistical Stark (Iron Man), Fury knew Stark would be intrigued by being a part of a group of highly-talented individuals and gaining more recognition for his efforts. If Fury had forcefully approached Banner (Hulk) as he did Stark, not only would he have been unsuccessful, he might have been hospitalized; rather, he appealed to Banner’s desire to give back to the poorest of people in an attempt to redeem himself for the destruction his alter-ego was responsible for in the past.
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Understand the people that you lead so that they will work harder and better. It makes it much easier to get them to buy into your ideas or vision, especially when they are not obligated to comply.
Support your people
Fury believed in them, supported their efforts and allowed them to do their job which was to do all they could to save the world. Knowing that they had a leader that would go to the higher council and remove obstacles, they went above and beyond the call of duty. Sometimes he was one of the few that believed in the group but because he understood their capacity, he advocated for their success.
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Support builds confidence in your people to go the extra mile and reach beyond their own preconceived capacity.
Superhero films have the ability to take any situation to the extreme in a way most people would not see in their lifetimes, yet the characters are not exempt from the struggles that the average person would face. If these tools could be successfully used to save the world, if developed and utilized, imagine what these very principles can do to save a project, a department or a company culture; and in turn, retain the best people for any group with a mission.
Shantryce Essilfie
Shantryce is from Bridgeport, Connecticut. She is nearing the completion of the Master of Arts in Leadership Program at Albertus Magnus College, graduating in May 2016. In her spare time when she’s not watching superhero films, Shantryce loves to read and to dance West Coast Swing.