Don’t be a HERO. Be a HERO-MAKER.
“Impact Players are not just heroes; they are hero makers. They pull others into the spotlight and lead the team so that there are multiple winners and potential leaders. And when the entire team looks good, so does the boss.”
-Liz Wiseman, Impact Players
I loved this. What Liz is saying is: don’t be a hero. Be a hero MAKER.
When I read this section in Liz’s 2021 book, I was reminded of a situation that happened in 2019. I initially planned to include this story in my first book (7 V.I.R.T.U.E.S.) but it didn’t make the cut. Today, I share the story!
At the end of this story, you’ll hear how I wanted to give credit away to the management team of a call center. What I wanted this leadership team to know what that they were wildly:
💪 strong and powerful
💪 capable and able
💪 talented and skilled
💪 insightful and intuitive
💪 brave and courageous
I wanted them to know the following:
💪 Never, ever again did they have to wait reactively to lead.
💪 Never, ever again should they just do what they were told, follow directions, and not speak up if they saw it differently.
💪 They ALL had the ability to lead well, and they had demonstrated that. 💪 Their efforts and hard work matters.
💪 They had the ability to make huge differences wherever they went.
I knew that if they really KNEW that; really BELIEVED that of themselves, they would do far different things in their careers and their lives than if they DIDN’T know that. I also believed it was MY JOB to help them believe and know that.
Wherever you go, help other people feel these things (strong, capable, talented, smart, courageous). Especially if you’re in leadership. It’s not so much YOUR job to lead every last project or initiative. It’s your job to help OTHERS recognize THEIR greatness. Help THEM lead. That’s what you’re actually there to do.
Don’t be a hero. Be a hero maker.
Andy Storch I know how you loved Multipliers; not sure if you’ve read Impact Players as well (loving it).
