Batman’s back — on the big screen, that is. And like with previous celluloid adaptations, the jury’s undecided if this latest incarnation of the Dark Knight is the best.
But regardless of how long the debates rage about The Batman and/or actor Robert Pattinson’s “worthiness” in the lead role, what can’t be denied is that the return of the Bat is always cause to celebrate.
Since his introduction in comics in 1939 and his eventual jump to the TV and movie screens, Batman has captivated the attention of the masses for one simple reason — he’s a superhero with no superpowers.
Yes, he constantly uses all available resources (and a fair amount of guile) in his mission to make Gotham City and the world a better place. But under it all, Batman could be anybody.
There’s indeed a lot one can learn from the World’s Greatest Detective about life and how to live it. And here are a few lessons — gleaned from notable Batman quotes throughout the years — that direct sellers, entrepreneurs and business leaders can draw inspiration from:
It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me. ~ Batman Begins (2005)
For different reasons, both his foes and allies want to know the Caped Crusader’s real identity.
Yet as Batman said to Rachel Dawes once, it’s not who one is under the cape and cowl. It’s what you do that matters.
Actions, as the saying goes, speak louder than words. And that’s both true whether one is leading a sales campaign or navigating through a crisis.
Remember what it was like just two years ago when Covid-19 first hit and our industry was upended? If you think back, you might find that it was network leaders who moved decisively that came out on top.
The lesson here is to always make your actions count.
Maybe that’s what Batman is about. Not winning. But failing, and getting back up. Knowing he’ll fail, fail a thousand times, but still won’t give up. ~ Batman Zero Year: Dark City (2013)
Resilience. That’s been Batman’s one true superpower from the very beginning.
No matter how many times he gets hit, no matter how devastating the losses, Bats (and his alter ego Bruce Wayne) has always found the strength to pick himself up.
Is there a possibility of failing yet again? Of course. Does Batman worry he’ll fall flat on his face? Certainly. But leaders know that people depend on them. Hence, the need to endure and try, try again.
Losing business may seem like the end of the world. Same with failing to meet profit targets. But know that we all go through hard times. And the night does always seem darkest before the dawn.
I think we can take them. Do you think we can take them? ~ Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2003)
There are many times in business and life when one needs to throw in the towel and move on. Yet by that same token, there are many times leaders really come into their own when the situations seem most daunting.
For Batman, those steps towards winning against the odds have always been aided by a large helping of self-belief.
True, conviction and self-assurance can sometimes come off as arrogance. But there’s no denying that confidence is essential to triumphing as a leader or entrepreneur.
Indeed, the most successful people are those who know their worth, have faith in their abilities, and back themselves when they’re in a corner.
If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change. Hooo. ~ The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
Sure, Lego Batman is a caricature of the superhero we’ve come to know. And this version of the Dark Knight can bungle missions! But he does say some pretty profound things; even if they are often plagiarised and/or paraphrased.
Case in point, the above line from Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror, which Bats claims is his own.
But borrowed wisdom or not, it can’t be denied that for true change, one must start from within.
How many times have you lamented about the way people in your network work? Have you complained about external factors that impacted your business?
Lego Batman (or MJ!) says, start with yourself, make the changes to your attitude and approach, and everything else will fall into place. Hooo!
