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OPINION
Leading like a superhero
I was watching a Marvel movie one weekend, and there was a great quote – great enough that I paused the movie (while my wife raised an eyebrow at me) to play it again – a quote that I thought would apply back in the office. That led me to wonder what other lessons these movies were teaching us. The Marvel universe delivers 10 powerful lessons in leadership, proving that purpose, humility, and teamwork save the day.
Greg Sepeda
Beneath the battles and humor are stories about resilience, humility, and teamwork. So, after many more weekends of going through the entire timeline, this is what I learned: 1. Leaders don’t always have to be the strongest ( Captain America: The First Avenger , 2011). Steve Rogers begins as a skinny kid from Brooklyn who can’t even enlist in the army. What makes him worthy of the super-soldier serum isn’t his size but his heart. Dr. Erskine explains, “A strong man, who has known power all his life, may lose respect for that power. But a weak man knows the value of strength.” Lesson: Leadership in business isn’t about muscle or title – it’s about integrity and humility. The best leaders aren’t always the loudest in the room;
they’re the ones who serve the mission and respect the responsibility of power. 2. From lone genius to collaborative leader ( Iron Man , 2008 – Avengers: Endgame , 2019). In I ron Man , Tony Stark is a lone wolf. He builds his suits, solves problems alone, and often dismisses advice. But over time, Stark evolves. He learns that his greatest victories come when he trusts others: Captain America’s strategy, Bruce Banner’s science, Black Widow’s stealth, Thor’s strength. Lesson: Many business founders begin like Stark – driven and visionary, but controlling. Scaling success requires moving from individual heroics
See GREG SEPEDA, page 8
THE ZWEIG LETTER DECEMBER 8, 2025, ISSUE 1612
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