Lessons Part 1: Batman

I haven't done a series in a long time.  Let's do a series!  Here's how I'm doing this.  The next few blog entries are going to all be about fictional characters that have taught me great lessons in life. 

I'm beginning with Batman.

Because he's Batman!

Batman is pretty over-hyped these days.  He IS hands down the coolest character in the DC Universe and the lessons he taught me are sorta why.

1.  You don't always have to like someone to work with them.  It's all about the mission.

Let me tell you a story from my IT days (and I'm going to keep this vague to protect the innocent).  At one point we had a policy on ordering computers.  They had to come with dual core processors.  Well the guy in charge of signing off on our orders didn't agree with me that the Core 2 Duo was a dual core processor.  He was wrong.  Way wrong.  But he had authority so I kept firing emails at him that proved my point and truth be told, I didn't like this guy.  It wasn't until I actually got to meet and talk with him though that I realized we had the same mission...we just wildly disagreed on how to accomplish it.  But I was able to convince him despite not liking him.  You'd be surprised how many people can't stay on mission because their personal feelings get in the way.  Sometimes, the mission is more important.  If you want an example of this, go check out some old Justice League issues with Batman and Guy Gardner.

2.  It doesn't matter how smart, strong, capable and independent you are.  Sometimes you could use a helping hand.

One of the hardest things for me to do is asking for help.  A lot of people are like that.  So it's incredibly humbling to watch the Batman ask for it.  Not to mention he's mentored a slew of Robins to be as good as he is.

3.  Never underestimate the power of hard work.

Batman stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the most powerful characters in the DC Universe even though he himself doesn't have any powers.  That alone makes him an inspiration seeing how much he can accomplish with just hard work.

So who's gonna be next?  Stick around to find out.  Next Bat Time.  Next Bat Blog.