The Batman Effect
"Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage" -C.S. Lewis.
I’ve been sitting with this quote for a number of weeks now. Trying to unpack it for myself.
Sometimes I need an example of my own when I need to dig deep. There are forces in the world telling me to give up, quit, and stay down. These forces will also reward me with a measure of comfort once they’ve convinced me to stay off my feet. If I could have tea with C.S. Lewis, I’d like to ask him whether his quote is still true for adults.
Sometimes, I’ll need to draw on an image that’s a bit bolder and larger than life to find the resilience I need to pull through whatever seemingly impossible threat or challenge has come my way.
I have a tool in my mental toolbox that I’ve used at times that might be helpful to you. Never underestimate the power of imagination. Ask yourself, what would _______ do? As a person of faith, I totally get that the answer is supposed to be Jesus, but let’s just be a little less religious and recognize that the truth of his life lives in fictional characters. I ask myself, “What would Batman do?”
A Great Batman moment, Brought to you by the brilliant writer Tom King and artist David Finch Batman Vol. 30 #20 April 2017.
There is this thing called “The Batman Effect”, based on an informal study done, which notes that people are prone to behave more altruistically if the image or idea of Batman is present. There is also evidence that kids are more resilient when environmental cues point them toward a hero like Batman.
The Batman effect also works for big kids like me. For me, Batman is a great example of what a brave, steadfast, but very human protector looks like. I can have those basic core qualities in my life.
I believe there’s enough evidence out there that I could be convicted in court of being resilient. If using Batman as my role model makes me a geek, fine, but it works for me. I’m very comfortable with having great examples of brave knights and heroic courage encouraging me to get up. There are worse things you could have running around in your head.
I believe there’s enough evidence in the world to do the same for you.
Are there situations in life when you need to be brave?
What do you have in your surroundings to encourage you to keep going? If you’re a Batman fan, I’m willing to bet you’ll be able to do a lot more at work with a model batarang nearby. Do you have a physical object within view to remind you of examples of courage, bravery, and resilience?
I am big on writing things down; take some time to write out your example of a real or fictional hero you look up to. After you’ve done that, ask yourself if you have something that you can keep in your office or home that reminds you of what they stand for.
Show me a leader with a healthy, creative imagination, and we’ll be looking at a leader who’s succeeding.
Once upon a time, I had an office where I could display my collection of Batmobiles, Batman action figures, and other memorabilia. If I had a visitor who had an appointment to discuss “serious business”, more often than not, I’d catch their eyes darting to the wall, hoping I wouldn’t notice. After all, they were there to do serious business. At a certain point, I’d stop them and ask if they’d like to take a close look at the mini Batman museum; inevitably, they’d all thank me and say yes. I notice that all those meetings became much more constructive.
These brief moments of imagination open windows of creative possibilities and can bridge relationships. The Batman effect can extend its benefits to those around you as well.
So say it with me, and say it loud, “I am vengeance, I am the night. I am Batman!” Then get to work.