As one of the millions who saw “Marvel’s The Avengers” last weekend I compliment Joss Whedon, Marvel, Paramount and the whole cast for an epic comic-book translation.
As a manager, I was just as entertained by the behavioral make-up of the Avengers team as I was by the action. The character development was outstanding, and each costumed hero (except perhaps Thor) grew substantially, both from the iron-jawed stereotypes of their original print versions, and from who they’d been in their previous films. As a team, their personalities mesh with a realism that belies the fantastic nature of the premise.
As a manager, I wondered what would it be like to manage a project team like this? Forget Nick Fury’s bluster, half-truths and deception. In today’s working environment, he’d be out on his ear in an instant. The only reason the Avengers do what he wants is because, well, they are saving the world after all.
Captain America is the Project Manager, although his lack of flexibility in that role shows why a 1940′s throwback wouldn’t be good in an office today. He takes and delivers orders, and begins with a blind belief in the good intentions of his superiors. None the less, he leads by example, and is always the first to tackle each problem. His world is simple. There is right and there is wrong, and we don’t need to waste time dithering around the edges.
Captain America is the middle manager (after all – he isn’t General America) who can be trusted to get the job done without overthinking it.
But Cap has to deal with Tony Stark on his team. Iron Man has the brains and the charisma to lead, but can’t be bothered with the responsibility. None the less, he wants to be recognized as a leader by the others. He’s the guy from sales, who will work with the team only as long as he sees it going where he wants.
Hawkeye is the least developed character. With no prequel to give us his background, he is further shackled by being under Loki’s mind control for half of the movie. It’s not surprising then, that he is closest to the stereotyped action hero. He’s the guy on your team who is always on everybody’s team. No one is quite sure why he was picked, he doesn’t have any unique skills, but he doesn’t hurt, and he gives you an extra body when it’s needed.
Thor is the IT technician. He is earnest in his objectives. He is plain in his belief (true) that the others have no clue to what he is talking about. The only one who can explain what is happening on the demigod side of things, Thor is also detached from all the emotional infighting, probably as a side-effect of his near-immortality. It just doesn’t reach his plane of thinking.
Black Widow is the classic fallen woman. She is willing to do anything, but whatever it is, we know it isn’t nearly as bad as what she has done before. Are her emotions really on her sleeve, or are they just for show?
In one great sequence she reveals her motivations to Loki, only to turn out to be playing him. A few minutes later she expresses those same motivations, word for word, to Hawkeye. Which one, if either, is the real Natasha Romanov?
Black Window is the ambitious rising politico on your team. She has talent, but you are never sure if she is looking out for the project objective, or for some goal entirely her own.
By far the best character development goes to Bruce Banner, aka Hulk. He has left behind the angst-ridden milk-toast scientist. He doesn’t like his affliction, but he’s learned to live with it, and it does have its advantages. He accepts a bit of harassment with an amused resignation. He is used to it, and everyone knows what will happen if it goes too far.
Banner is the glue. The whole team knows that he is both the one best equipped to figure out the problem, as well as the one best equipped to deal with it when things get out of hand.
As Tony Stark says: “You have an army, but we have a Hulk.” He is the go-to guy, but neither he nor any other team member could imagine him in charge.
The solid manager, self-centered salesman, aloof technician, maneuvering politician, someone for the heavy lifting and another guy just because we needed another guy. It sounds like a lot of teams I’ve been on, but it works out pretty well.
I was having breakfast with a client Peer Board this morning when one of the members (Doug Miller, owner of an insurance agency and a Texas State Legislator) approached me and asked about the conference room decoration in my office.
