You May Have Super Powers, But You Don’t Always Have to Save The Day
"Don’t be a hero. Be a mentor. Heroes save the day, mentors build the future." — Unknown
As a leader, it’s tempting to feel like you need to swoop in and save the day whenever challenges arise. After all, solving problems quickly and efficiently is part of what got you to where you are. But constantly taking control can have long-term consequences for both you and your team. When you fall into the hero trap — where you always have the answers and rush to fix every issue — you risk stifling your team’s growth and leaving them overly dependent on you. Leadership is about empowering your team to find their own way forward, not rescuing them every time.
Being A Hero Is A Trap
Finding quick answers and pushing forward may feel like the right thing to do in the moment. But over time, this behavior leaves behind residue. Eventually, your team will start waiting for you to step in and "save the day" rather than coming up with solutions themselves. This can lead to the ‘know-it-all trap,’ where you believe you always have the best answer, or worse, a confidence trap where you assume you’re indispensable.
This is a slippery slope. If you become the go-to person for every decision, your team will begin to expect you to take over, and when you’re not around, they may freeze. Over time, creativity fades, and the team becomes less engaged, simply waiting for your direction. The worst part? They might also be waiting to watch you fail.
Why It’s So Easy to Fall into Hero Mode
The hero trap is easy to fall into for a variety of reasons, but time pressure is one of the biggest culprits. You think, "There isn’t enough time for the team to figure this out. I know the solution, so I’ll push it forward, and they can take over from there." Before you know it, this pattern repeats.
Another powerful motivator is the fear of failure. None of us want to fail, and as leaders, we feel a duty to prevent our teams from failing as well. But in trying to protect the team from failure, we actually rob them of important learning opportunities. Sometimes things won’t work out as planned, and that’s okay. Failure is often the best teacher.
Impact of Being a Hero All the Time
Carrying the burden of being the hero eventually takes its toll, just as we see in movies where heroes end up physically and emotionally exhausted. In the real world, the bumps and bruises of constant problem-solving aren’t covered by makeup and special effects. Over time, this effort drains your energy and makes it harder for you to keep being the hero you believe your team needs.
Meanwhile, your team is left waiting — not just for your ideas, but for your permission to act. They become dependent on you for every solution, and when challenges arise, they hesitate instead of stepping up. Eventually, your ability to always intervene will diminish, and problems will start to pile up. Worse yet, your team may not even realize you can no longer handle every situation the way you used to.
This dynamic leads to a downward spiral. Your team becomes passive, innovation dies, and your effectiveness as a leader begins to fade. The worst outcome? You’re left feeling more isolated, and your team is unprepared to move forward without you.
“Leadership is not about having all the answers, but knowing the right questions to ask."
How to Avoid the Hero Trap
The hero trap can sound like a tough situation to escape, but there are practical steps you can take to avoid it.
1. Start with Questions
One of the most effective ways to empower your team is by asking questions, be curious. When a problem arises, resist the urge to jump in with answers. Instead, ask open-ended questions that encourage discussion and critical thinking. This approach gets your team talking and engaging with each other, which leads to more creative and collaborative solutions.
2. Create a Safe Space for Failure
Fear of failure is often what pushes both leaders and teams into the hero trap. To counter this, build a culture of trust where small failures are seen as learning opportunities. Remind your team that some of the most significant achievements in history came from trial and error. Innovation thrives when people feel safe to try new things without fear of harsh repercussions.
3. Delegate Effectively
Let go of control. Trust your team to handle more responsibilities, and delegate tasks that will allow them to develop new skills and build confidence. This not only reduces your workload but also helps your team grow stronger and more capable. When they succeed, it reinforces their ability to handle future challenges on their own.
4. Use Checkpoints for Guidance
Establish regular checkpoints to stay informed without micromanaging. Let your team know you’re available for questions and updates, but focus on listening rather than giving immediate answers. This ensures communication remains open and allows you to offer guidance without taking over. Sharing ideas and even discussing setbacks can actually accelerate progress.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." — African Proverb
Pack Away the Cape
We all enjoy putting on our hero cape every now and then, and it can feel good to swoop in and save the day. But eventually, that approach backfires. Your team will sit back, waiting for your intervention, and before you know it, you’re left holding all the responsibility.
Leaders are guides, not heroes. Pack away the cape and instead, recognize the great things you can do through developing your team to be the heroes of their own story and outcomes. Everyone wins. Your team, your results, and those around you will benefit in significant ways when you avoid the hero trap.
What causes you to fall into the hero trap? How can you avoid it in the future?
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Photo by Esteban López on Unsplash