In our previous blog on Engagement and Happiness , we shared some key insights into how to foster engagement within our schools. One key obstacle to this is the perseverance with a superhero leadership style – you know, the department head who constantly jumps in to save the day and who the continues to dominate their team.
During our research at TeamOptix, we’ve observed organisations that have focused on developing 'superhero' leaders through psychometrics and structured career pathways, aiming to produce leaders who can ‘save’ their teams and the organisation.
The superhero leader as a villain
However, the pursuit of superhero leaders often creates competitive environments where managers progress through harsh appraisal processes, leaving colleagues behind. This can result in disengaged teams seen as ‘zombies’ who need energising for better performance.
This leader-centric focus inflates egos and disheartens team members, as the superhero masks followers and collective efforts behind their ‘cloak of invincibility’.
Our experience shows that the issue lies with the ‘zombie leadership’ mindset, not disengaged workers. Superhero leadership often acts as the villain in engagement narratives. In his book ‘Slaying Zombies – Beyond Instructional Coaching,’ Dr Percy, EVP at TeamOptix, aims to expose and eliminate zombie leadership strategies, providing evidence-based methods to build a culture of engagement.
Moving beyond a ‘deficit zombie-based’ approach
The superhero leader paradigm often focuses on fixing weaknesses, termed the ‘deficit zombie,’ which results in only average organisational performance. To move beyond this, we advocate for a strengths-based approach that fosters genuine engagement and exceptional results.
Many forward-thinking leaders are shifting from the superhero model to a collective approach, seeking better engagement through evidence-based strategies. However, outdated practices persist like 'zombies,' resistant to change despite a lack of success.
Pause for reflection
Just as Jesus empowered his disciples to spread the Word, let’s end with a single contemplation:
How can I move away from traditional ‘superhero’ leadership styles and embrace a more collective leadership approach that fosters team engagement and empowerment?