A Better Leader Through Self-Evaluation: Analyzing Batman’s Strengths and Opportunities for Improvement

Corey L. Johnson
2 min readMar 14, 2023

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So today I had a conversation with my daughter about leadership. My aim was to help her understand that a leader is someone whom others look up to and follow. A leader makes tough decisions and does what’s right, even when it’s easier to do the wrong thing. We also talked about the importance of integrity.

To illustrate my point, I referred to a movie we had recently watched, Wakanda Forever. I highlighted how, when Shuri became the leader, she made the right decision for the people, even though she personally wanted to go a different route. My daughter then asked, “What about Superman?” I said, “Yes, I guess Superman is a leader too.”

That led me to ask, “What about Batman?” She responded in her best low-toned growl, “He’s a leader because he says, ‘I’m Batman’.”

At first, I thought Batman is not a leader, but then I considered his role in running his family’s business, Wayne Corp. So, I decided to review Batman as if I were giving him a performance evaluation. Here’s hoping he doesn’t hit me with a Bat-a-rang!

After evaluating him over the years, here are Batman’s top strengths as a leader:

  • He possesses a strong moral compass and is not afraid to do what’s right, even if it puts him in harm’s way.
  • He is an excellent problem solver and can think outside of the box to come up with creative solutions.
  • He is a powerful symbol of hope and justice and inspires people from all walks of life to stand up for what’s right.
  • He understands the importance of preparation and uses his wealth and resources to equip himself with the necessary tools for any mission.
  • He has undeniable charisma and influence, which allows him to effectively motivate and lead others towards a common goal.

However, here are some areas where Batman can improve his leadership skills:

  • He can be too stubborn and pigheaded at times, refusing to take advice or accept outside help.
  • He has a tendency to go it alone, investing too much of himself into the mission while isolating himself from his peers and allies.
  • His single-mindedness and lack of flexibility make it difficult for him to adapt to changing situations.
  • He can also be overly aggressive and reckless with his decisions, putting himself and others in unnecessary danger.

After reviewing Batman’s strengths and opportunities for improvement as a leader, I would rate him as above average. He has the potential to inspire others and solve problems effectively. However, he needs to work on his communication and collaboration skills to become a more effective leader.

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Corey L. Johnson

Husband, father, writer, comic reader, music lover, gamer, political enthusiast, and justice advocate. Striving for a well-rounded life.