From Loki to Thor

Aka: From Manager to Leader

            What is the difference between Loki’s and Thor’s manager styles? Loki is a manager while Thor is a leader. Managers are about managing things and objects, leaders about leading people. Leaders must have followers to lead (Kruse, 2013). A leader is someone who is more concerned with influencing others than promoting himself/herself and is someone who can motivate others to reach a common goal. This is what makes Thor a leader and what develops any good manager into a great leader.

            When we first meet Thor, he is a superhero who only looks out for himself, but as he has experiences and learns to put others’ needs before his own, he becomes a leader. Thor, like a good leader, put his team needs ahead of his own glory and power. “Leadership… focuses on influencing others towards a specific goal or objective and helps bring about useful changes in an organization” (Holland & Albercht, 2014). To be a good leader, be an influencing guide and promote others’ strengths, (Fiege,K., & Branagh,K. (2011).

            Motivation is another important character trait for a good leader. Thor motivates others by leading by example and uses his hammer to create a feeling of strength and empowerment, which motivates those around him. Bill Gates said, “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others” (Kruse, 2013). What makes a great leader is someone who can motivate and empower others to reach high goals.

            Loki is a manager. He is all about planning, executing, and achieving his goals through power. Thor is a leader. He puts the needs of others first and motivates others. He knows how to motivate others to achieve a goal. To become a good leader we need to be more like Thor; we need to find out what our hammers are and use them to influence others. Let’s  be a great leaders rather than just ordinary managers.

References

Fiege,K., & Branagh,K. (2011).Thor: the god of thunder. United States: Paramount Pictures.

Holland, D. & Albrecht, C. (2014).Introduction to management. United States: My Educator. Retrieved from: https://www.myeducator.com/reader/web/961/chapter9/mk7sn/Educator

Kruse, K. (April 2013). What is leadership?. Forbes Magazine. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2013/04/09/what-is-leadership/