When Kevin Feige spoke at our (yes, our) alma mater as USC’s Commencement Speaker he opened with the very appropriate and obvious catch phrase “with great power comes great responsibility” and proceeded wax eloquently about the importance of super hero catch phrases. Spider Man’s little kernel of truth feels like a very “duh” statement. But in a world where we so often see power abused on the daily basis we can understand the need for such a reminder.
But the key isn’t just the reminder itself; its how an individual chooses to interpret it as well.
It wasn’t until I was watching “Spider Man: Across the Spider Verse” that I was able to put my finger in the different way leaders interpret this particular catch phrase and the subsequent ramifications. And the difference lies in what people think the “great responsibility” actually is.
There are clearly two lines of thinking in the movie; one that is represented by Miguel O’Hara and his supporters and one that is represented by Miles Morales and those who turn to support his ideals. And I see both Miguel’s and Miles’ way of thinking in action everyday.
Miguel does not believe in interrupting “canon events.” Essentially, he believes in supporting the status quo. Using his painful past experiences as his driving motivation, he believes that “the great responsibility” lies in whatever sacrifice must be made in order to uphold the ways things just are. Not holding this up would lead to, in his mind, to catastrophic consequences. Miguel believes there may be consequences to any other alternative and thus Miles must accept the “lesser” of two evils. Miles must sacrifice someone he loves, supposedly, for safety of others. It seems somewhat noble and heroic on the surface level.
But Miles is not willing to accept the canon events as the way things must be. He is wiling to risk trying something new and try to find a better way. He knows it could be messy and the consequences are truly unknown, but that doesn’t stop him from trying.
And that, in my humble nerdy opinion, is the true responsibility we hold as leaders.
Miguel is clearly driven out of fear. And in this particular case I am not saying that fear is not unfounded. I get it. But what I see so often everyday are leaders who are either consciously or subconsciously driven by fear into making black-and-white decisions no matter the cost fully believing that holding up the current letter of the law is what is best. It is the lesser of two evils. They are willing to sacrifice their uniqueness, a small handful of individuals and sometimes even their personal life to “do what needs to be done.”
But then there are those bold enough that when, given the opportunity of great power, see it as their responsibility to find a better way. They question the system. And though deemed young, naive and too idealistic by society they feel like the responsibility lies in still trying to find a better way for everyone knowing the risks. These people, unlike the former, are not controlled by their fear. They may still be afraid, but the do not let it stop them from trying.
I think the Miguel O’Hara’s of the world truly believe they are doing the right thing. Great power doesn’t corrupt everyone and good people will recognize and have a healthy fear of being handed enough power that would allow them to affect the lives of other people. But the responsibility lies in not letting that fear drive you to play what you feel is the safer option. It does not lie in upholding systems that are not working simply because they are, supposedly, the lesser of two evils.
The scariest part of thinking like Miles is the harsh reality that you still may fail. It doesn’t always work out like the end of a movie. You may not be able to find the solution where everyone wins. But the great responsibility of a hero, and a leader, is to not let your fear stop you from trying to still make the world a better place for everyone.