Lead, Don’t Rescue: The Problem with Playing Hero by Wes Mast

We all love a good hero story.

The crisis hits. The team panics. And in steps the leader—fast, confident, ready to fix it all. People cheer, the fire is put out, and everything seems okay again.

It feels good to be the hero. But here’s the hard truth: the more you rescue, the less your people grow.

The Trap of Hero Leadership

Early in my leadership journey, I believed it was my job to save the day. I prided myself on having all the answers and being the go-to problem-solver. If something was broken, I fixed it. If someone was struggling, I swooped in. I wore the cape—and I wore it well.

But over time, I noticed something troubling:

• My team wasn’t taking initiative.
• I was constantly drained and overwhelmed.
• Progress stalled unless I was in the middle of everything.

It hit me: I wasn’t building leaders. I was building a team dependent on…me.

Why Rescuing Feels Right (But Isn’t)

Being the hero feeds our ego. It gives us control. It creates quick results. But it also creates a culture where people rely on you instead of rising up on their own.

Rescuing teaches people:

• That they don’t need to stretch.
• That they can wait for you to step in.
• That your confidence matters more than theirs.

And over time, that undermines trust, growth, and sustainability.

There’s a Better Way

The shift is subtle but powerful:
Stop rescuing. Start leading.

True leadership isn’t about being the hero in every story—it’s about empowering others to be the hero in theirs. It’s harder. It takes more time. It doesn’t always feel as glamorous. But it builds something real.

It builds people.
It builds ownership.
It builds legacy.

In this blog series "Lead, Don’t Rescue" we'll explore:

• Why leadership is about development, not dependence.
• How to spot when you’re rescuing.
• How to build a culture where others grow and own the mission.

You’ll learn how to step back—not in weakness, but in wisdom—and how that makes you a stronger, more impactful leader.

Ready to trade in your cape?

🔥 Up Next:

Blog 2: Leadership Isn’t About You (Ouch) – A look at why letting go of the hero role is the most powerful move a leader can make.