tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297339528199658886.post5150550306904691945..comments2023-08-04T05:52:20.805-05:00Comments on LeadershipTheory and Behavior: Superhero Leadership! Part 2: The Stunning Conclusion!Professor Robbinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05888371487484973438noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297339528199658886.post-25106491009794803352009-10-28T15:18:22.631-05:002009-10-28T15:18:22.631-05:00I had been waiting anxiously for Part 2 of your po...I had been waiting anxiously for Part 2 of your post, so thank you! After reading your first post about Superman, I had trouble viewing him as a leader since he doesn't seem to influence his followers into any sort of action. I had started thinking about Batman and decided he might be a leader because he wants to promote justice, but wanted to read your post to really form my opinion on that one. Now that I've read what you wrote, I realized that although Batman wants justice, he isn't really promoting it to anyone. You are right: he takes matters into his own hands because of his own personal agenda. He isn't setting an agenda for anyone else. I think earlier versions of Batman (the old TV show with "bam" "pow" on the screen) and maybe some cartoons for kids would protray batman as more of a leader. However, the most recent movies, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, really portray Batman in a more negative light as far as influence and leadership. I agree, he and his movies are awesome though.<br /><br />It's too bad you don't have another post to write because I would really like read about another superhero...I was thinking Captain Planet might be a truly great leader!Catherine Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02290020916313523940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297339528199658886.post-39041645045355767012009-10-28T11:20:57.070-05:002009-10-28T11:20:57.070-05:00Meghan-
That's a very interesting thought, th...Meghan-<br /><br />That's a very interesting thought, the mimicking ability. But let's take a leader like Martin Luther King. He led through raising awareness, through education, through mobilization. His leadership I believe, comes from his ability to inspire people to draw them to action, and that action was a way of life. <br /><br />You're right, people can't even leap tall buildings in a simple bound, but what if Superman's actions inspired people to just simply be good? Isn't his message, "use your talents, whatever they may be, for the good of the world"? His talents may be superpowers, but isn't it a model "normal" people could emulate or mimic- do good when you can, with the gifts that you have?Christopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12395379086282824691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297339528199658886.post-15686163275668064842009-10-28T11:03:31.328-05:002009-10-28T11:03:31.328-05:00Ann Candler--
I also agree with your comments, and...Ann Candler--<br />I also agree with your comments, and wonder not only "can followers follow a leader who they do not know?" but also are there even followers at all in this situation? I think you can admire someone or something but not necessarily follow their lead. Especially in this case, a superhero has traits that the normal person cannot mimic. I can learn a lot from Superman or Batman, but I can probably never learn all of their traits, whereas it seems more reasonable that I might learn some of my boss's qualities. And isn't great leadership all about enabling growth and learning among your followers? That seems very limited in this context.<br /><br />Thanks for the post!Meghan B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16270293707633139280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297339528199658886.post-73577898722969838602009-10-27T07:01:06.431-05:002009-10-27T07:01:06.431-05:00Ann Candler-
That's an interesting comment. I...Ann Candler-<br /><br />That's an interesting comment. I think the "true identity" is the facet I'm most interested in. Clark Kent, I'd argue, is NOT the "true" identity. Kent is a disguise, and Superman is who he really is, to me at least. To be honest, I'm not even sure I know why the Kent persona exists- I believe only to allow him to interact with Lois Lane in a "normal" setting, but that's a whole other can of worms.<br /><br />Batman is trickier...but is it different? "Batman" is an identity, to be sure. The "true" one...I don't know, but I'm not sure it's definitely a "no". I think the argument could be made that Bruce Wayne is also just a facade.<br /><br />As for the short-term crises, this definitely applies for Batman. He foils robberies, he stops muggings, etc. Once again, I think this may be tougher with Supes. The Man of Steel is often times "saving the world" from global annihilation. Granted, he performs the random act of kindness as well...but sometimes it IS a long-term impact, if you consider keeping the world safe from dastardly world domination long term ;).<br /><br />But seriously- excellent, excellent points. Thanks!Christopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12395379086282824691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297339528199658886.post-3848525707460111842009-10-26T21:15:02.339-05:002009-10-26T21:15:02.339-05:00How does the fact that both Batman and Superman op...How does the fact that both Batman and Superman operate under secret identities affect their position as leaders? Can you really be a leader if your followers do not know who you are? It brings me back around to the fact that they are both heros or saviors for followers but have no impact on the lives of their followers outside of a short-term (usually minutes) crisis situation and have no relationship with their followers because they save them and leave without revealing their true identity. I have a hard time calling them leaders.AnnCandlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13754735940854844905noreply@blogger.com