This will be the last in a series of lessons we can learn from monsters.  We’ve reflected on werewolves and getting in the zone, the duplicity of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, frankesteining solutions, and inviting vampires into our lives.  This week we will focus on the lessons we can learn being monster hunters.

There are several characters that could be considered “monster hunters”.  These characters could include the Ghostbusters, Van Helsing, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Blade, Hellboy, and the Winchester brothers from Supernatural.  The thing that all of these characters have in common is the way they prepare for their role and how they ensure they have the right tools for what they are fighting.  The best monster hunters don’t just show up guns blazing.  Instead, they take time to understand the situation and then choose the appropriate tools for the job.

For example, the Ghostbusters leverage knowledge from Tobin’s Spirit Guide that helps them better understand what they are facing.  Then, they use PKE meters to assess their situation and eventually use specifically designed proton packs and traps to capture ghosts.  Blade works with Whistler to design weapons that can exploit the weaknesses of his enemies, creating silver swords and UV lamps for vampires.  Once the monster hunter has prepared, they are able to win the battle. 

You might already be seeing the connections to work.  In the above situations, if the monster hunters don’t understand the situation, then they are unable to prepare.  In their case, being prepared is the difference between life and death.  When I think about us at work, how often do we pause to really understand whatever it is we are facing before we dive right in?  How often do we stop and say, “Oh, this is the problem I’m facing.  To beat this problem I’ll probably need to understand ____.  I should go find ____ tools or _____ frameworks or get advice from ______ to help us think through this.”?  This could apply to marketing problems, leadership issues, building culture, etc.  I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just rush in, and when I do I find that I’m not ready to take on the challenges.  When I rush in before I’ve truly thought about and prepared I often fail or fall short.  Now when I fail at work I might not get attacked by a vampire, but the failure and the swirl does suck the life out of me.  😉

The challenge: Before you take out your “monster” are you taking the time to prepare and grab the right “tools”?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry