Fallen Heroes

It is rare these days to hear the name of Tiger Woods and think first about his prowess as the world’s best golfer. In the span of a couple weeks this successful athlete has suffered a major blow to his once pristine public image. What began as an early morning auto accident has mushroomed into a litany of extramarital affairs, his decision to take a leave of absence from the PGA tour, and a media feeding frenzy that won’t stop until the private life of this man and his family has been thoroughly exposed. If Tiger Woods was once a hero to some, he is now a fallen hero to many. He is not the first fallen hero from our collective sports, political, and business arenas, nor will Tiger be the last.

Hero has a number of dictionary definitions. It can be someone who commits a remarkable act of bravery, like a fireman, policeman, or war hero. It can be the main character in a fictional plot, someone who plays a vital role in story development, like Jimmy Stewart’s character in “It’s a Wonderful life.” But the definition that may fit Tiger Woods, and others like him, is someone whom we admire for outstanding qualities or achievements.

This latter definition fits many of today’s business, entertainment, political, and sports leaders and personalities. You may even include a parent in the group of persons whose behavior and accomplishment stand out from the crowd. It is a title and role bestowed on the person by others and that makes it vulnerable when the hero no longer measures up to our expectations. The fall from grace of our society’s heroes is well-documented and includes plenty of names, most past and present.

The weight of leadership is a heavy burden to some. When the hero title is conferred as well it can simply be too much for some persons to bear. No one knows if that is the case with Tiger Woods. Perhaps our modern heroes also suffer from a sense of invincibility that causes them to make poor decisions or engage in dangerous behavior because they believe they won’t be caught. Either way, the fallen hero loses his or her title because we the public choose to take them off their pedestal.

I have frequently called for greater authenticity in leadership. This means leaders must align their mind, heart, voice, and actions. They must risk being real and vulnerable, removing any masks and telling the truth. Heroes fall because they stray from this basic principle. We are all attracted to genuinely authentic people. When they fail, if they practice authenticity, we are likely to forgive them. But if they hide the facts, or blame others for their misfortunes, it is unlikely we will see them in the same way.

Fallen heroes will always be with us. Some of the leaders who read these weekly musings may wear this title someday. Will your authentic style of leadership be a factor in how quickly you regain credibility and trust? Can any fallen hero ever reclaim the title? While the jury is still out on the Tiger Woods saga, rest assured that a judgment will be rendered.