How to be a Hero

by Marguerite Granat on March 17, 2010

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What would you do if the leadership of your company did something that was extremely opposed to your most deeply held values?

This is a tough question because when your livelihood is at stake and others depend on you it takes a lot of courage to leave it all behind. It takes a lot of courage to stick to your beliefs when the tide is turning in the other direction. It takes a lot of courage to take a stand when you’re the only one. Would you risk it all for your convictions?

That’s exactly what Thomas More did when Henry VIII demanded that he take allegiance to the royal religious supremacy. He risked it all!

In the Leadershipnow blog, Paul Johnson’s Hero’s  book is reviewed. I’ll apply to Thomas More, three behaviors that determine a hero.

  • An Absolute Independence of Mind

More had a mind of his own. He did not let the tide of consensus influence his values. He had a strong belief that the King did not have jurisdiction over matters of religion.

  • Ability to Act Resolutely

 Henry VIII gave him plenty of opportunities to swear allegiance to his new Church. Thomas acted resolutely and did not change his mind.

  • Act with courage despite the consequences

Thomas More had a beautiful family and a great position within Henry’s court. Henry trusted and respected him. He lost everything, including his life in order to stand by his convictions. This takes tremendous courage.

Thomas More is an inspiration to me  for having courage and not letting anything compromise his values. A little Trivia about Thomas More; he is the first person who came up with the term Utopia.

Your Thoughts and Insights

  • Who is your hero?

Photo Credits, Andycoan

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Tagged as: Integrity, Leadership Competencies

  • http://Www.sodexocareersblog.com Kerry (Sodexo Careers)

    Great post about heroes – this month is Women’s History Month and it has me thinking about WHO is my mentor or hero.

    • Marguerite Granat

      Kerry, yes, it’s good to think about who’s your hero. Would love to find out who you picked. My woman hero from the past is Elizabeth I. Will also have to think about a current mentor or hero of today. Thanks for your comment!

  • http://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelled Rachelle Dillon

    My first thought was, is it more courageous (and wiser) to take a stand or to attempt to influence those in power? If I can be patient and whittle away with soft influence and clever strategies, I may be able to make a difference, and change the status quo rather than to stand up as the nail to be pounded down.

    • Marguerite Granat

      It depends on the situation Rachelle. If the organization is doing something that is totally against your values and you know that you can’t influence their decision, do you stay and bend your values or do you move on in order to be in a situation that is more aligned with your values. In the case of Thomas, he was not able to leave the country. He felt he had no other option than to become a martyr in this case. He has been an inspiration for a lot of people and the Catholic Church has made him a Saint.

  • Nancy Hilpert

    YOU are my hero Marguerite! Thanks for the intriguing post…I do think that heroism is a bit oversold, and some would argue that only MEN can be heroes (really an English Lit professor of mine did). And one could argue that it is a very ‘male’ thing to be so upright and rigid in sticking to your position, never bending, and so extreme that you would leave family to whatever fate and your own life behind; Rachelle’s post is inherently ‘feminine’ the idea of using soft influence and time. For me it comes down to this, which is more important ‘the stand’ or your life. More sacrificed self to what he believed a higher good and in doing so he lost a chance to be open, become more, and to live a full and complete life.

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