How To Be A Hero

Mike is a former boss of mine and not your typical hero. To me, he embodies the personal application of the StoryBrand concept. He believes he is merely a guide to help the hero (those who work under him) achieve success. In fact, he celebrates when individuals on his team succeed and “move up the ladder”, even if that means they leave his organization or department.

If you are familiar with Donald Miller’s StoryBrand framework, then you already know that a foundational shift in how an [organization] views itself can have a transforming effect on its success. Most [companies] act as if they are the hero to save the day for their [customer]. In some form or another, it sounds like, “Look at us. Follow us. Aren’t we great? Blah blah blah.”) Yet, our [customer (or listener)] is actually the hero. It’s been shown that we will be much more effective if we act as the guide to help the hero – our [listener] – achieve success. And, consequently, the [listener] will love our brand more than ever. (Click here to learn more about StoryBrand)

But let’s personalize this and talk about leadership. Go back and re-read that paragraph but replace [organization/company] with LEADER and replace [customer/listener] with TEAM MEMBER/EMPLOYEE.

So… Who is the hero of your organization? In a study of 52,000 managers and employees (McKinsey & Company, 2016), an astonishing 86% of leaders believe they model the behaviors and improvements they want employees to make. However, a Gallup poll revealed a radically different perspective. Employees believe that 82% of leaders and executives are seen as lacking in leadership abilities. To make matters worse, another study showed 65% of employees would rather have a new boss than a pay raise. Ouch. Clearly, there is a disconnect here. Perhaps we as leaders have too high of a view of ourselves. Perhaps we see ourselves as the hero of our organization.

He would never view himself this way, but Mike is a hero. It is true because he believes, speaks and works as though his team is the real hero and he himself is simply the guide. He seeks ways to grow them, equip them and elevate them. Let’s be like Mike.

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” [Matthew 20:25-28, ESV]