The Hero Ideal - The Corporate Culture as a Guide for Heroic Companies

   Long, long ago, in a galaxy called California, George Lucas studied folklore and the power of myth... and made movie history.

   "Star Wars" is based on the groundbreaking book by Dr. Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces.

   Dr. Campbell recognized, in the many mythologies he studied, a classic storyline: Everyday individuals, inspired by everyday circumstances, are thrust into an epic journey. (Think of Hewlett & Packard's garage) To Dr. Campbell, this everyday event was the summons, the call to adventure, the challenge of t he quest.

   In Star Wars, the devastation of Luke Skywalker's home draws him into the engagement. In our everyday business life, it might be the challenge of a competitor, the death of a technology, a company breakup or a financial disaster. These ordinary circumstances
propel courageous individuals into extraordinary lives.

   On finding partners in your quest.

   The Hero (in the case in point, your company) is joined by allies. Are they mentors? Partners? Fellow travelers seeking a common goal? Or perhaps they're a former enemy?

   To Dr. Campbell, allies were seen to appear when most needed. This was because they were "recognized" and sought out by the hero. The hero, with inspired confidence in his or her own capabilities, and with all the charisma of a hero, is able to attract and embrace even former enemies.

    In business, our allies certainly should be our own employees. The Heroic Corporation, inspired, uplifted and guided by a realistic sense of destiny and "rightfold" action, has a powerful, united and motivated force behind it.

In mythology, the personification of this force may be a wise old owl, "Merlin, the Magician," or a strange creature like Lucas' Yoda.

    This guiding figure is more than an actual character. It is a representation of an energy or spirit. Jungian psychology refers to this, and says it is alive in each individual and in the collection of individuals who form a company. It often called the "corporate culture" and its representation is often called "the brand."

    What is the end result of the quest?

    The heroic man, or woman, or group, having accomplished and recognized the difficulty of a task that seemed impossible, has returned from the vision quest with a level of integration.

    Future success requires that we integrate all of the best attributes of both genders, as a team, be cohesive and organized, be aligned with the forces of nature, and have the best of allies.

    The sense of fulfillment is extraordinary. Organizations and people who have completed the journey have amazing energy and power.

    The force is not with them, it is them.

    What is the growth potential of an inspired organization?