The character featured in this week’s My Obscure Role Model blog really isn’t that obscure.  But he sometimes gets lost in the shuffle amongst all of his colorful costumed companions.  Everyone is so enamored with Iron Man, Captain American, The Hulk, and Spiderman, that I don’t think this week’s Obscure Role Model always gets the recognition he deserves.  Of course, I’m talking about the god of thunder himself, Marvel’s very own Thor!

I like Thor for a lot of reasons.  He’s a real man’s man.  He’s muscular, funny, drinks beer, wields a large hammer, and beats up bad guys for a living.  But he’s my role model more so because he’s an optimist and a leader!  This is clearly defined by a conversation he has with Rocket the Racoon in the movie, Avengers: Infinity War.

Rocket: This Thanos we’re talking about. He’s the toughest there is.

Thor: Well, he’s never fought me.

Rocket: Yeah, he has.

Thor: He’s never fought me twice.  And I’m getting a new hammer, don’t forget.

Thor and Rocket are discussing Marvel’s biggest baddest villain to ever hit the big screen, Thanos!  Thanos and Thor have already battled one on one and Thanos beat Thor within an inch of his life.  The fight was completely lopsided, and Thor was outmatched in every way.  Fast forward to later in the movie when Thor is talking to his new rodent friend.  He tells Rocket Thanos has never fought him.  Rocket reminds him that he has.  And Thor doesn’t miss a beat before replying that he hasn’t fought him twice, indicating that next time there will be a different outcome.  And that statement defines great leadership.

Too many of us today fail at something or get beat by somebody and immediately give up.  “Well, I’m just not good enough,” we tell ourselves.  Or, “I’ll never be as successful as that person,” we rationalize.  And we quit trying.  Because we let one moment define us.  Thor didn’t dwell on that one moment he came up short.  He was already looking forward to the second meeting.  The most successful folks I’ve ever met all have short memories.  When (not if) they fail, they learn from it, adapt, and move forward…never backing down from the same challenge.

It’s one thing to be optimistic, but the true leaders also add preparation to the mix.  If we fail at something and try again using the exact same methodology, we shouldn’t expect the outcome to be any different.  Thor practices this philosophy.  Go back and read his last line.  “And I’m getting a new hammer, don’t forget.”  His game plan didn’t work out the way he wanted the first time…so he changed his approach.  I won’t spoil what happens in the rematch between Thanos and Thor for the 1% of America who hasn’t seen Avengers: End Game yet, but I will share that the outcome was not the same as before.

Three of the greatest keys to success are these:

  1. Never let one moment define you.
  2. In a world full of pessimists, be an optimist.
  3. If at first you don’t succeed, adjust your game plan and keep moving forward!

Thank you Thor for not only being this week’s Obscure Role Model, but for giving my wife a reason to actually watch super hero movies with me!