What Kind of Leader Are You? The Avengers Might Hold the Answer
What Marvel’s Avengers can teach us about feedback, self-awareness, and team dynamics.
The other night, I was rewatching Captain America: Brave New World with my kids. Between action scenes, something clicked: each Avenger leads differently, but intentionally. And that’s when the question hit me…
What if the Avengers were real-world leaders? What would their feedback style look like?
As someone who’s spent over 20 years leading high-stakes teams, I’ve seen firsthand how feedback styles can shape trust, morale, and mission success. And honestly? These fictional heroes reflect real dynamics I’ve seen in boardrooms, squadrons, and leadership retreats.
So, which Avenger most mirrors your leadership style and what strengths (or watch-outs) come with it?
Let’s dive in.
Captain America – The Values-Driven Leader
Strength: Anchored in ethics, Cap leads with purpose, modeling unwavering conviction and integrity.
Watch-out: May avoid conflict to preserve unity or come off as rigid in fast-changing environments.
Feedback Style: Encourages through inspiration and shared ideals. Feedback sounds like: “Let’s stay true to who we are.”
Iron Man – The Visionary Disruptor
Strength: Bold, innovative, and unapologetically future-focused. Drives progress and isn’t afraid to challenge norms.
Watch-out: Can be dismissive, sarcastic, or overconfident—undermining psychological safety.
Feedback Style: Blunt, fast-paced, and sometimes ego-driven. Feedback sounds like: “This isn’t working—fix it.”
Black Widow – The Tactical Empath
Strength: Reads people well and adapts quickly. Brings emotional intelligence to high-stakes situations.
Watch-out: May conceal real thoughts or struggle to address hard truths directly.
Feedback Style: Relational and nuanced. Feedback sounds like: “I noticed something—want to talk through it?”
Hulk – The Passionate Reactor
Strength: Driven by emotion and fiercely protective of the team. Can be a powerful force when focused.
Watch-out: Struggles with control under pressure and may erupt instead of engage.
Feedback Style: Reactive or bottled up until it bursts. Feedback sounds like: “Why didn’t anyone say something sooner?”
Doctor Strange – The Autonomous Expert
Strength: Confident, focused, and self-assured in their lane. Operates with precision and high standards.
Watch-out: May isolate themselves or disregard input from others.
Feedback Style: Logic-heavy and often one-directional. Feedback sounds like: “Here’s what you need to do differently.”
Thor – The Charismatic Motivator
Strength: Brings energy, optimism, and loyalty. People want to follow Thor.
Watch-out: May default to humor or distraction when situations require direct accountability.
Feedback Style: Upbeat and encouraging—sometimes at the cost of clarity. Feedback sounds like: “You’ve got this, friend!”
Hawkeye – The Grounded Realist
Strength: Practical, loyal, and grounded. Sees the human side of the mission and leads from behind.
Watch-out: Can downplay their leadership impact or remain too quiet when their voice is needed.
Feedback Style: Honest, low-drama, and personal. Feedback sounds like: “I’ve got your back—but we need to talk about this.”
Why This Matters
Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. But without feedback—intentional, honest, and timely—your strengths can become blind spots, and your team’s potential gets lost in the fog.
Want to sharpen your leadership style and create a culture where feedback isn’t feared, but expected? Start by knowing who you are—and how others experience you.
Even if you're not fighting aliens, your team deserves a leader who reflects, adapts, and grows.
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About the Author
Clayton Thompson, Ph.D., is a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force with over 20 years of leadership experience. He is the author of the upcoming book RA-RA Feedback: It’s Not a Moment. It’s a System! for building trust, accelerating growth, and creating a leadership advantage.