Introduction
If there is one thing that all kids from the ‘70s to Gen-Z have in common, it is their love for superheroes and desire to be one. Out of all the superheroes, Peter Parker aka Spider-Man is undoubtedly the most relatable one because he faces the same problems that most people encounter. He is not just one of Marvel’s most likable characters but also an inspiration to millions worldwide.
Learn from Spider-Man
His story portrays a compelling narrative of personal development, leadership skills, and teamwork. Spider-Man is all about pushing one’s powers and talents to their limits. But he is also about taking control of his future by selecting between what’s truly important and what’s not.
This quote from the Spiderman movie is what every leader can learn from.
One of the most popular massages in the Spider-Man comics and films comes from Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben, “With great power comes great responsibility.” This quote can be applied to all types of leaders in any industry. After all, being a leader necessitates a high level of accountability.
5 valuable leadership lessons from Spider-Man
With that in mind, let’s look at five essential leadership lessons that anyone can learn from Spider-Man to become a better leader.
1. Be yourself at all times
Many leaders assume that just because of their big titles and leadership positions, they must act in a certain way and avoid showing emotions. Parker also struggled in several instances with having to act like a “hero” instead of himself. It had a notable impact on his relationship with his girlfriend, Mary Jane.
But then that one suggestion by Captain America that the mask is supposed to hide your face, not your heart, changed his life. He stayed loyal to himself and his personality throughout his life.
As leaders, we should never wear masks, especially when it comes to interpersonal relations and issues. When you show your side to the team, they will feel more connected and are more inclined to accept what you say.
2. Take responsibility
Just like Spider-Man is responsible for safeguarding the city, business leaders must be accountable to the people they manage. Leaders must use their power to have a positive impact on individuals under their command.
However, there are a few instances where Parker gets obsessed with his power and misuses it. But when he sincerely accepts his responsibility, he contributes to safeguarding the city. True leaders are aware of their responsibilities.
They are equally responsible for the team’s success as well as any setbacks. If the team fails to accomplish its goals, the leaders must take accountability. Instead of assigning blame to subordinates, the leader should ensure that team members learn from their mistakes so that they are not repeated.
3. Patience is key
Spider-Man’s life is a mess, with nothing going his way (I’m not saying that it is the film narrative). But, he never uses this as an excuse to give up or mix work and personal life because of his genuine desire to help others. Most people stop their efforts to help others if it means losing close ones, but that is not the case with Peter Parker. He persisted in his efforts, never gave in to his fears, and ended up meeting Mary Jane, who loved him as deeply.
Whether you are setting up a business or advancing your profession, patience pays off. You must keep going, and things eventually fall into place.
4. Face the challenges
Being a leader demands the sacrifice of time, money, and effort, as well as the strength to endure challenges and sorrow. Spider-Man is well aware of the price of being a superhero.
He encourages us to weigh the pros and cons of leadership while remaining true to ourselves. Even if all you manage is a small department within a large corporation, you still have responsibilities towards your internal and/or external clients, coworkers, and the people you supervise.
You always have duties, regardless of how much or how little power you have. Face them and succeed. With the right amount of effort and dedication, you’ll understand the cost of leadership and won’t give up the moment problems arise.
5. You don’t need to lead all the time
In times of trouble or when Spider-Man is called upon to lead, he steps up and takes control. But that’s not the case each time. There were situations when he let others take control and become a dedicated follower with ease.
What we can learn from Spider-Man in this situation is to be flexible at work and in life. Leading is essential, but so is being a team player when the situation calls for it. We should know how to perform different roles in our company at various stages.
Wrapping up
We all have Spider-Man that lives deep within us. We can all learn from him and grow into great leaders in our organizations. But the most crucial aspect of learning is to apply it in our daily life. What leadership lessons did you learn from Spider-Man? Let us know in the comment section below.
If you too want to lead your team like Spider-Man, then join the Future Leaders Programme by the National University of Singapore in collaboration with Great Learning. The course curriculum, designed by Asia’s leading Business school through the lens of business managers and leaders, is taught by world-renowned faculty. Don’t miss this chance!
