Weekly Challenge #005: The Problem With Heroes

“You can be the hero, or a zero!"

To this I say, "EW!"  

Sure,  it’s a catchy phrase,  but it's a lie. A lie that has unfortunately influenced how many entrepreneurs tell their story in an attempts  to attract new customers. But this is not what customers are looking for.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of hero stories, just not when they’re being told by the hero themselves. 


So, what other options do you have when it comes to talking about yourself?


First, it’s worth noting why you wouldn't want to position yourself as the “zero,” or victim. It's simple: no one wants to hire a victim. Victims are still in their wound and in need of healing themselves. 

Though it may seem like an obvious to avoid, speaking from a place of victimhood can happen if you’re not careful. You’ll know you’re doing it when you find that you're invoking sympathy from your audience. 


You as the hero

A former teacher of mine often told stories featuring himself as the hero. I’m not gonna lie, they were brilliantly told and brought throngs of eager students to his school. His stories made you want to be just like him and I’ll be dammed if I didn’t find myself doing some of the craziest shit as a result (all good stuff). But...

...There where unintended side-effects

Eventually, most of us realized that our hero was flawed. No more or less than anyone else but after having been up on a pedestal for so long, there was only one direction for him to go…down. And after that, there was no coming back.

I’ve since learned, the best kind of heroes don’t put themselves on pedestals. They don’t argue for their own greatness.  Instead, they show empathy for where you are in your journey and are able to state their authority from a place of humility.


In this, a third option is born.

Every hero has a mentor. A wise guide. Someone who helps support, train, push, and challenge them to be the best they can be. The role of the mentor is to help the hero overcome their limitations. They're someone whom without, the hero would never be able to win the day. Bottom line...


...Be the mentor. Let your customer be the hero.



WEEKLY CHALLENGE

1. Go checkout the websites of a few service oriented people. How do they position themselves? Do they profess to walk on water or are their feet placed on solid ground? Are there any hints of victimhood ion their attempts to connect with you or are they able to talk about their challenged without trying to draw on your sympathies.
   
   
2. When positioning yourself as a guided or mentor, offer empathy and state your authority. Let the hero know you get it and understand their struggle. Make simple statements of authority without handing over a list of everything you've ever done - chances are, they don't really care. What thy do care about is that you are confident and can deliver.