Chapter 4 - The Meaning of Hybrid Heroes for Individuals, Businesses, and Society: A Concluding Round-Table Discussion

Summary

What does the concept of hybrid heroes mean to people and businesses, and how do the notions differ in various cultures? How can we apply the theory, and what are the pitfalls? As we all come from different backgrounds, we discussed our perspectives.

How should we define the concept of hybrid heroes?

Inge: I would define a hybrid hero as someone who possesses heroic traits, performs heroic acts, or acts as a moral leader but engages at the same time in acts that can be considered criminal, villainous, or lawbreaking. Hybrid heroes are not just flawed but conflicted with regard to their motivations and aspirations, and ultimately with who they are.

Greg: In my view, the hybrid hero has a dual nature, part saint and part scoundrel, moving along a spectrum. You might say that the warring traits in his or her personality are twins. They may be identical or fraternal, but they come from the same gene pool. As we have noted, research shows that an inclination to psychopathy is not uncommon in executive suites. We have also observed Machiavelli's pervasive influence on modern capitalism, and we have portrayed leaders who pos-sessed traits at the extreme ends of the spectrum—including criminals who resurrected themselves as benevolent leaders. In sum, hybrid heroes display fascinating combinations of folly and wisdom and malevolence and benevolence.

Stephan: I totally agree with you guys. Hybrid heroines and heroes oscillate between saint and scoundrel. However, in the long run, the saint must prevail. If not, there is the big danger that a person or a team will drift into evil. Then the hybrid hero would become a total villain.

What does the concept of the hybrid hero mean for your area of expertise?

Greg: As an executive coach, I often advise clients to embrace dichotomous traits. After all, management requires great comfort with paradox. Leaders must be compassionate but tough, bold yet cooperative, ambitious yet humble. They need to guide their subordinates, but at the same time tolerate their divergent styles and eccentricities. As Nye suggests, they should combine soft power, that is, leadership through communication, charisma, or persuasion, with hard power, that entails threats, intimidation, or rewards (Nye 2010).