Five Leadership Lessons I Learned From The Batman
by Arthur C Woods.
2022’s The Batman is out now, and fans and critics are raving about it. As someone who has sat through the entire 3 hour film, I can say it is one killer flick — my favorite of all the Batman movies so far.
As I watched the film from the comfort of my recliner at my local cineplex, I began noticing some important leadership lessons hidden in the plot of the movie. These lessons may not have been intentional, but they are there never-the-less. Let’s talk about the five that I picked up on.
I will attempt to write this in a way that does not provide any significant spoilers, in case you have not yet watched the film.
I. Healthy Leaders Won’t Always be Thought of as “The Good Guy” — Even if They Really Are.
As you would expect, Batman is “the good guy” in this film. Yes, he does have a dark side, and he doesn’t always do things “by the book”, but he is no doubt the protagonist of the film, but . . . not everyone in Gotham sees it that way. In the eyes of many (police officers, politicians, criminals etc…) he is nothing more then a masked vigilante who can’t be trusted to do the right thing. Many don’t see him as the crime fighting hero that we know him to be. They question his motives — question his intentions — question his very character. They disagree with what he does and how he does it. In this regard, Batman is put through what many leaders experience today. They have good intentions — healthy motivations, and genuinely care about the cause that they are leading, yet they get put down — they get attacked — they get criticized by the very people they are trying to lead. Unfortunately, inaccurate perceptions and false narratives often become the accepted truth — more so than the actual truth. Part of being a healthy leader is being able to lead in the midst of the brutal attacks that will inevitably come your way — and it’s not easy!
II. Healthy Leaders Should be Willing to Sacrifice.
Without giving anything away, over the duration of the film, we see Batman / Bruce Wayne give of himself sacrificially. The life that he has chosen to lead is based on a personal obligation he feels to his family’s legacy and to the city of Gotham. It’s not about him. It’s not about what he wants. It’s about his willingness to become what the people need him to be, even if it goes against what he truly desires. All too often we think of attaining a leadership position as a personal triumph — as something that makes us more important — more deserving — more special. In reality, good, positive, healthy leadership is about serving people through your leadership. It’s not about you (or at least it shouldn’t be) — it’s about the people you lead. This mindset of servant leadership is hard, and not easily embraced, and often not even desired by those seeking to become leaders.
III. Healthy Leaders Will Often Listen More Than They Speak.
In this film, Batman / Bruce Wayne is a man of few words, but when he speaks it’s highly valuable. When he chooses to use his words, important things come forth. He spends more time listening — observing — thinking, and far less time simply rattling off the first thought that comes to his mind. Healthy leaders listen. They listen to those that they lead. They listen to those that they serve. They observe — take notice — carefully assess. When a healthy leader chooses to speak, it’s wise to listen.
IV. Healthy Leaders Do Good.
Batman is good — not perfect — but good. Perfection should never be the goal of any leader, for that simply is not possible, but a desire to be good should be in the hearts of all leaders — it was for Bruce Wayne. Throughout the movie we see Batman doing what is good — what is right — instead of doing what is easy or vengeful. As I write this article we have an out-of-control world leader and his army invading a smaller nation, killing and uprooting the lives of thousands and thousands of innocent people. That type of leadership is clearly not healthy — and it’s certainly not good. The world could use Batman right about now.
V. Healthy Leaders Come Prepared.
It’s rare that you see Batman show up for a fight unprepared. He’s got his bat suit, his bat mobile and a plethora of amazing bat accessories and weapons — and perhaps more than all of that, he’s got his experience — his training — his focus. Batman comes prepared to do battle. A healthy leader is prepared for what lies ahead — And while they can’t necessarily be prepared for every single possibility, a good leader is ready to accept whatever challenge comes her or his way. They don’t just show up unprepared.
SUMMARY
In summary, healthy leaders…
(1) Won’t always be thought of as “the good guy” — even if they really are.
(2) Should be willing to sacrifice.
(3) Will listen more than they speak.
(4) Do good.
(5) Come prepared.
Did you see The Batman yet? What did you think of it? What other leadership lessons can we pull from this film? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Arthur C Woods Coaching partners with parents to help their teens develop Wisdom, Confidence and Intentionality in life. Schedule a free consultation call with Arthur at www.ArthurCWoodsCoaching.com. Let him show you how he can strategically help your teenager in a safe, virtual, 1:1 coaching environment.
