A Good Lesson…From the Bad Guys
Villains aren’t always what they seem.
The studio that taught us how to train dragons, peel back the layers of ogres, and expose executive infants has done it again. DreamWorks has now set its sites on teaching us a good lesson from the Bad Guys.
Like many DreamWorks classics, the Bad Guys provided plenty of entertainment value for the young and the young-at-heart. It didn’t disappoint. The fast action and steady stream of silliness kept all of us engaged.
A Lesson From the Bad Guys
I won’t spoil the entire plot, but the movie introduces a lesson we could all learn:
The Bad Guys aren’t always what they seem.
Seemingly model citizens might have evil intentions.
Honorable leaders at times might have a dark past.
Scandalous villains might have a tenderness that we wouldn’t expect.
Stories We Tell
Most leaders won’t spend the majority of their workweeks in high-speed chases or securing priceless treasures. However, many encounter villains regularly. Sadly, these evil nemeses are often our creations.
In the New York Times bestseller “Crucial Conversations” the authors discuss the danger of stories we tell. They explain that we often tell ourselves stories about those we engage in conflict with. We tell ourselves one of three stories:
- Victim stories allow us to pretend we are not part of the problem. This story allows us to direct all of the blame at others in our conflicts.
- Helpless stories are similar to victim stories. These stories justify the poor decisions we make in a conflict. We had to respond the way we did, there was no other option.
- Villain stories exaggerate the “evil” in others. Telling ourselves villain stories justifies our use of “vigilante justice” against others.
The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly
When in conflict it’s easy to see ourselves as victims or helpless in the choices we make. Reality is usually a bit more complicated. Yes, at times we are blameless and encounter genuine evil intent. However, more often it’s our storytelling that creates the biggest problems:
The Good
We assume our view is correct and we are in the right. We tell ourselves we are the righteous heroes.
The Bad
We devalue those holding conflicting views. We see them as villains. Are we mind readers that know the evil intent behind others’ actions? Once we see them as villains we become stuck in a cycle of finding more and more of their faults.
Humans are imperfect. When fault finding becomes a focus, it doesn’t take much effort to see others’ flaws.
The Ugly
When we see ourselves as heroes and others as villains we often justify ugly behavior toward our adversaries.
When both parties look through these lenses, conflicts will escalate.
If this cycle is left unchecked it will ultimately lead to destruction.
“Ignorance breeds fear. If you don’t keep that fear in check, that fear will breed hatred. If you don’t keep hatred in check it will breed destruction.” Daryl Davis
So how should we respond when encountering villainous adversaries?
Master Our Stories
The best defense against many adversaries is first realizing we are the creators of the stories we tell.
We must master our stories. We must get back to the facts.
Is our assessment of others based on facts or are we allowing our imagination to run wild?
Are we assuming we know the intent behind others’ actions?
Are we applying the same standard to ourselves that we use to find the flaws in others?
DreamWorks may not have intended to teach a leadership lesson with the Bad Guys, but it was a good reminder. The Bad Guys aren’t always what they seem.
Originally published at https://surroundedleader.com on May 7, 2022.
