Sam Wilson: The Reluctant Leader

There’s a well-known Shakespeare quote about greatness: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.” (Twelfth Night, Act II, Scene V).

I think that the same can be said about leadership. Some are born leaders, some pursue leadership, and some have leadership thrust upon them.

When we look at the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we can see examples of each. T’Challa (The Black Panther) is an example of someone who was born a leader. Steve Rogers (Captain America) is an example of someone who pursued leadership. Sam Wilson (The Falcon) is an example of someone who had leadership thrust upon him. Essentially, Wilson is someone who doesn’t call himself a leader, doesn’t want to be a leader, and is ultimately put in a situation where he has no other choice but to lead. In leadership theory and practice, this type of leader is called a reluctant leader.

The first sign of a reluctant leader is that they don’t call themselves a leader. We see this in the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame. (I should probably say “spoiler alert.” However, the movie is two years old. That being said, If you haven’t seen it already, are you even really a fan?). In Endgame‘s final minutes, Rogers passes the mantle (er… shield) of being Captain America to Wilson. As Wilson holds the iconic vibranium shield, is obvious that he is reluctant to lead the Avengers.

“How does it feel?” Rogers asks.

“Like it’s someone else’s,” Wilson answers. Spoken like a true reluctant leader.

The second sign of a reluctant leader is that they don’t want to be a leader. Despite the Captain’s blessing, Wilson continues to show signs of reluctant leadership in the first episode of The Falcon And The Winter Soldier. (Okay, now I’ll say, “spoiler alert“). Instead of taking the mantle of the First Avenger, Wilson surrenders the star-spangled-shield, to the U.S. Government so that it can be displayed in a museum. By physically giving up the shield, Wilson symbolically gives up the leadership role and responsibilities of being Captain America.

The third sign of a reluctant leader is someone who is put in a situation where they have no other choice but to lead. While Wilson’s plan is to have Captain America’s shield in a museum for all to see, the U.S. Government had a plan of its own. Shortly after receiving it from Wilson, they quickly appoint a new Captain America. His name is John Walker. I wrote another post about why Walker is not fit to be a leader, let alone Captain America. (You can read that post here). To summarize, Walker is a person who wants the power, position, and/or popularity that comes with being a leader. In leadership theory and practice, this type of leader is called an a**hole. Walker’s inadequacies ultimately put Wilson in a situation where he has no other choice than to reclaim the shield, the name, and the leadership of Captain America.

Do you relate to the new Captain America? Are you reluctant to lead or be called a leader? If so, I don’t want you to wait until you are in a situation where you have no other choice but to lead. I want you to start leading today! To help you on your leadership journey, I put together a short book called, You Are A Leader. In this book, I discuss how everyone is a leader in their circle of influence.