I’ve been a comic book “geek” ever since my younger son pulled me into this universe many years ago. His passion for comics led us to the local shop at least once a month to pick out his favorite titles, which included classics like The Green Lantern, The Flash, and Batman.

Having grown up in Cleveland, Ohio, naturally I always favored our hometown hero. The creators of the original Superman comic hailed from Cleveland, and many of the Metropolis scenes in the upcoming reboot were filmed there.

Working with advisory firms over the years, I’ve encountered many leaders who feel they want, or need, to be Superman. They feel compelled to solve every problem, show no fear in the face of obstacles, and be the hero of the team’s story. But are these really the traits that defined the Man of Steel and made him a great leader?

If you dig deeper into Superman’s story – which, as an avid reader of the comic, I have – you may be surprised to find that his defining superpowers are less about fearlessness and power and more about altruism and integrity. And these qualities also happen to be found in the most effective leaders.

In this article, I want to get you thinking about how you can truly lead like our hero in ways that might be different from your current approach. Following are three superpowers to aspire to as you strive to lead a high-performing team.

Superpower #1: Inspiring hope

Superman consistently demonstrates integrity, courage, and compassion, setting a standard for others to follow. His presence instills hope, encouraging people to believe in the possibility of a better future.

All too often, I witness leaders who, despite having the best intentions, still subscribe to the old “command and control” style of leadership, where the mantra is “just do what I did 20 years ago” to be successful. This approach does not inspire action or hope; rather, it makes people feel powerless to initiate change.

Your team members all have different strengths they can apply to contribute to the team’s results. Will they sometimes fail? Of course. But as a leader, you can turn those instances into learning opportunities, encouraging individuals to continue bringing their ideas to the table.

Here are some questions to ask yourself about how you can be a more inspiring leader:

– What can I do to inspire hope in my team members when they fail at a task?
– How can I lead by example, sharing where I have failed and how I used those failures to further my growth and development?
– What steps can we take as a team to support each other in trying new ways to grow the practice?

Superpower #2: Selfless service

Despite his immense power, Superman remains humble and prioritizes the needs of others. He views his abilities as a responsibility to serve humanity, not as a means for personal gain. This selflessness is a cornerstone of effective leadership, emphasizing that true leaders act in the best interests of those they serve.

The members of your team understand how successful you have been in your endeavors; what they need now is for you to support their contributions and help them develop in their current role while cultivating skills that help them continue to grow.

Here are some questions to get you curious about how you can better serve and support your team:

– What specific actions can I take as a leader to prioritize my team members’ needs?
– How can I make time to understand their strengths and help them make progress in developing their skills?
– How can I support their future career aspirations and challenge them to achieve greatness?

Superpower #3: Emotional intelligence

This phrase tends to get thrown around quite a bit, often without proper context. But Superman happens to be an excellent example of what emotional intelligence really is and why it’s such a critical leadership trait.

Even though he is a visitor from another planet, Superman understands the struggles of others and responds with compassion and support. This is the very definition of emotional intelligence, and it enables him to build trust and foster strong relationships – essential qualities for any leader aiming to unite and guide a diverse group.

Studies have shown that emotional intelligence is the number one skill team members will be looking for in a leader in the future. Teams want someone who understands their uniqueness and demonstrates empathy while letting go of judgment and personal bias. Using this approach, appreciation for the diversity of thought and experience wins the day.

Another important aspect of emotional intelligence is being able to “flex” to the needs of your team members. This technique, which can take time to learn and apply, involves altering your leadership approach based on an individual’s unique characteristics and what motivates them.

Here are a few questions to get you thinking about how to build this skill as a leader.

– What steps can I take to be more empathetic and develop my emotional intelligence?
– How can I respond with compassion when members of my team need support?
– How can I prepare for team and individual meetings to approach them with curiosity instead of allowing my personal bias to show up even unintentionally?

We can all dream about being granted the power of flight or superhuman strength (which, let’s face it, would be awesome). But those powers do not make an effective leader. Rather, it’s the leadership competencies Superman exudes – inspiring hope, selfless service, and emotional intelligence – that make him a timeless symbol of what it means to lead with purpose and integrity.

As you continue to develop as a leader, I encourage you to keep these three competencies top of mind. By channeling Superman’s true superpowers, you can be a real hero for your team.

Should you need any assistance, or just someone to bounce ideas off, feel free to reach out to the Practice Management team at Janus Henderson Investors so we can help support your growth in this area.