Question

Compare and contrast three areas where leadership is displayed by Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Steve Rogers (Captain America) and how their behavior explains their leadership styles

Answer 1

Leadership styles and behaviour of Captain America

Have a purpose, vision and mission: Captain America is very clear on what he needs to do and accomplish. He understands that his purpose is to right wrongs, fight for justice, and complete virtually impossible missions.Captain America is able to create a strategy that accomplishes the mission and execute the necessary tactics to accomplish that strategy.

Let every team member shine as a good team: As leader of the Avengers, Captain America is surrounded by the world’s most powerful superheroes. He understands their strengths and leverages them to best accomplish the mission. He lets each team member have a chance in the spotlight and willingly embraces team members’ ideas. Every superhero on the team has a unique skill that he can’t match, and that’s OK to him.

Be willing to take responsibility in both lead and follow: Captain America has an ego but will adopt a position of humility to advance the mission. He leverages the strengths of everyone on his team to accomplish the goal, allowing others to lead when their talents are stronger. He leads from the front, never asking anyone on his team to do something he wouldn’t do himself.

Leadership styles and behaviour of Iron Man

Choose and stick by Your Purpose and Mission:Tony Stark is not afraid to fight for what is right. When he realizes he no longer believes in his father’s mission for Stark Industries (weapons manufacturing), he declares a change. He declares to the press that Stark Industries will no longer produce weapons. A good leader picks a mission and stands by it. A great leader has the integrity to find a noble cause and see it through.

When Tony Stark sees his company has not been sticking by his promise, he doesn’t just sit by and let it happen. He takes action. He becomes Iron Man. He builds a suit of armor and uses it to end the destruction Tony Stark believes in his mission and fights to keep it alive. So does a good leader.

Have a Good Team and every member is important: While time alone is important, Stark is nothing without his team. He relies on Pepper Potts for her honesty and loyalty. In The Avengers, he works with an entire team to protect New York City from the villain.

Leadership requires the ability to establish and rely on a strong team, like Stark’s.

Be Socially Responsible to lead: Tony Stark defines himself as a “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.” During the first Iron Man film, he dedicates his time to ensure weapons produced by Stark Industries are removed from the wrong hands. In Iron Man 2 and The Avengers, he focuses the efforts of his company on sustainable energy and other philanthropic efforts.

The best leaders are socially responsible and make sure their organizations are too.