Avoiding the Superhero Trap
Many new managers fall into the Superhero Trap—the belief that being a great leader means saving the day, fixing every problem, and carrying the team on their back.
It’s easy to see why. You want to prove your value. You care deeply about the work. But here’s the truth: superheroes burn out. Real leaders build systems, empower people, and create teams that don’t need rescuing.
The Superhero Trap shows up in subtle ways:
You jump in to fix instead of coaching others.
You say yes to everything to prove reliability.
You work late while your team disconnects early.
The result? Exhaustion—for you—and dependency for your team.
The best managers flip the script. They:
Delegate and trust. Empower others to own outcomes.
Coach instead of rescue. Ask questions that build confidence.
Model boundaries. Show that rest is part of performance.
Leadership isn’t about being the hero. It’s about building heroes around you.
👉 Boundless helps managers escape the Superhero Trap through coaching, accountability, and practical peer learning. Learn more:
For managers who want to accelerate their careers: https://members.boundlessnewleaders.com/
For business owners and executives who want to strengthen their management teams: https://pages.boundlessnewleaders.com/information_request