Spider-Man vs. Superman

A good friend and mentor, Tom Magness posted another great Leader Business blog (leaderbusiness.blogspot.com) titled "Spider-Senses." After reading his blog, I decided to write about his blog and (with tongue-in cheek) write about his choice of superhero. His favorite superhero is Spider-Man and his blog is about Spider-Man's "Spider-sense." You know, that sixth sense we all have when we know something is not quite right and when we get a gut feeling that we need to listen to. In his blog, he refers to it as a “Spider-sense.” Having a spider-sense is quite a remarkable skill to have and many women have this skill but we call it “woman’s intuition.” The best way I know how to describe this spider sense or intuitive feeling is in physical terms when I feel that I have "butterflies in my stomach," "a lump in my throat," or "a gut feeling."

Every animal has a brain, but the human brain is very unique. It gives us the power to think, plan, speak, imagine, and dream. Our brain performs an incredible number of tasks, all coordinated, controlled and regulated by an organ that is about the size of a small head of cauliflower. Looking very simplistically at understanding the brain, there are two sides. There is the conscious half and the subconscious half. The subconscious side is where that spider sense resides. Our subconscious side of the brain is alerting us to intuitive messages through our senses all the time.

I agree with Tom that having a spider sense is a very valuable sense for leaders to have as long as it is coupled with emotional intelligence. We humans (without superhero powers) are genetically programmed with a lifetime of knowledge that equips us with the ability to make good decisions daily. Having good instincts is about how our past experiences and mental assumptions shape our immediate intellectual decision-making reactions. The key to success is acting on our gut instincts, trusting that part of ourselves that collects the information, the most important information, and making the best decisions.

Unfortunately, for some of us, the spider sense can often come as a whisper instead of a shout. It requires us to develop a more acute sense of listening and acceptance in order to hear it. We all have this built in intuition and personal language, and we need to be listening to the cues we are given. The saying, “go with your gut” is overused, but we sometimes forget that it is right most of the time. Yes, all of us need to learn to trust our spider senses. We all come equipped with this cool super power and we have within ourselves powerful but hidden natural powers that we can develop and use for the “good.” So, try listening to your spider sense more often and see the benefits you will reap.

For the record, I feel that Superman is a far superior choice for a superhero because he possesses extraordinary powers such as superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, senses, intelligence, regeneration, longevity, super breath, heat vision, x-ray vision and flight. He is "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound." Spider-Man can only swing from building to building! Who is your favorite superhero and why?