Super-Ego! (or ‘Play a Role to Be Yourself’)

“Now, a staple of the superhero mythology is there’s the superhero and there’s the alter ego. Batman is actually Bruce Wayne, Spider-Man is actually Peter Parker. When that character wakes up in the morning, he’s Peter Parker. He has to put on a costume to become Spider-Man. And it is in that characteristic Superman stands alone. Superman didn’t become Superman. Superman was born Superman. When Superman wakes up in the morning, he’s Superman. His alter ego is Clark Kent. His outfit with the big red ‘S’, that’s the blanket he was wrapped in as a baby when the Kents found him. Those are his clothes. What Kent wears – the glasses, the business suit – that’s the costume. That’s the costume Superman wears to blend in with us. Clark Kent is how Superman views us. And what are the characteristics of Clark Kent? He’s weak… he’s unsure of himself… he’s a coward. Clark Kent is Superman’s critique on the whole human race.”

– Bill, ‘Kill Bill Vol. 2’

 

Constructive Feedback

Speaking confidently can be a real challenge, and this post is all about playing a role to achieve that. When speaking, two types of confidence come into play: yours, and the confidence people have in you. They flow back and forth, building each other’s momentum. That’s perpetual motion right there, people.

 

Confidence Trickery

Here’s the technique: step into the role of your favourite character from a film, book or TV show. I find the Christopher Nolan ‘Batman’ movies work for me: depending on the situation, I might feel like Bruce Wayne (dedicated, invincible), Alfred (prepared, unshakable), or the Joker (ruthless, unpredictable).

Superheroes are ideal because they have two identities: the ordinary, everyday character and their powerful, public persona (Spider-Man is a good example: Peter Parker’s life is very unglamorous).

 

Put on the Suit

The act of putting on your ‘costume’ can help. Wearing smart clothes can make you:

1. Look professional. Giving this first impression before you’ve even opened your mouth is too good an opportunity to miss. Say something that backs up that impression and you’ll win a lot of your audience’s confidence.
2. Feel professional. It’s showtime and you’ve got your gear on (treat yourself to some new clothes!).

 

The Next Level 

The really clever bit is when your persona is so well aligned with who you really are that you can switch between them effortlessly:

• In the Avengers movies, Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) undergo little transformation. They’re bad-ass assassins* all the time.
• Bond just is Bond (although he’s a spy who goes round telling everyone his name. Brilliant undercover work, James).
• Stand-up comics create a character who is simply a caricature of themselves. Their emotions are exaggerated for a more engaging performance, creating a character and perspective for people to ‘get’.

* a great excuse to write ‘ass’ three times

 

Your Mission

Examine what you’re really about. Celebrate those things when you speak. Be the hero version of yourself.

 

Related Posts

License to Be Whoever You Want

Building Character

The Science of Confidence