We all need heroes

It has crept up on us, but for a while we’ve been living in a society which doesn’t value quality as highly as it does quick solutions and immediate satisfaction.

Our parents and grandparents came from generations where you knew you had to do the hard yards to advance up your chosen ladder, personally or professionally. Reality TV introduced us to the cult of celebrity, teaching people they can be catapulted virtually overnight to the final rung just because they showed up.

The death of Michael Jackson and other great figures has shown us we all advance because of the greatness of things individuals do and by not by rewarding mediocrity and instant solutions.

Jacko’s amazing commercial and artistic success went hand-in-hand with a highly-criticised, turbulent and controversial personal life. Society often punishes that oddness – for good or bad – even when it may well be what fuels creativity in the first place. Ironically, it’s these people who can contribute so much to our everyday lives.

Despite his personal issues, would Americans have ever been able to dream of how great a nation they could have without someone like JFK? Popularity aside, John Howard always had a vision for our country and people responded by taking ownership of Australia and dreaming about what we’re capable of.

Human nature naturally has us looking towards someone or something to believe in; something that’s bigger than we are and by association carries us forward to be part of something good – and if we’re lucky, something great and life-changing.

That’s why we still need heroes in all aspects of our lives and why they need to be those who through quality hard work have shown their best. They help us be better people and strive for our dreams. They are inspirational; they empower us and offer the leverage to kick up to the next rung.

We need to remember to recognise quality. The cult of celebrity is like fast food – it tastes great now but the high doesn’t last long. Alternatively a lovingly home-cooked meal fuels dreams for the long run.

Nothing great comes without sacrifice. We’ve been lulled into thinking that as long as we buy a ticket and get on the train it will deliver us to the top of the mountain without effort. Sorry! You’ll have to expend some creativity and effort over time to get there.

You might not be able to do it alone either. Michael Jackson did some of his best work with other talents like Quincy Jones, I do it with my team when we are both looking in the same direction and successful companies thrive on collective creative effort with heroes to guide them.

We’d love to know who your heroes are. Are they famous or is it someone in your local community whose simple everyday actions are inspirational?