What's your Action Hero role in life?

Have you ever tried to get to the bottom of the role you’re meant to play professionally? If business is a Dungeon & Dragons game, have you worked out what your character is … druid, assassin, dwarf berserker?

I know, I know, my geek flag is really flying high today, but something about the last 6 months and the chaos we have all been a part of, has caused me to reflect on how I take part. What is the best way for me to add value, and how do I make sure I get that message across as consistently as possible?

Just recently I feel like I am getting a bit closer to what this might be, what the action hero style character I easily slip into is, that in fact seems to add the most value to those around me. But it wasn't until I came across some new Zoom background images created to promote the upcoming Top Gun: Maverick movie release that things really crystallised for me. These hysterical and awesome images make you look like you're sitting in the cockpit of a fighter jet in Top Gun while meeting with your team in a virtual meeting (does it get any better than that?) and as I started to play with what I would look like flying one of those jets I realised that my role is that of ...

… a test pilot.

You see, someone has got to try out those new ideas, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and then tweak them to make them palatable to the civilian’s on the ground. In fact a good test pilot will thrive in the unknown, their curiosity and sense of adventure driving them to push beyond where mortals fear to tread. Often they have an uncanny ability to see through the complexity of a problem to the underlying truth, whether that’s a way to cut through and make progress, or the need to cut your losses and try a new experimental aircraft.

And whether it’s testing out automation concepts for the financial services industry to the point they become palatable and implementable, or seeing kids movies on premiere night so parents can check with me if they are truly kid appropriate, or even setting an example of how to live a life full of adventure that’s also financially savvy, I figure my best contribution to business, and the general public is to lean into that role.

So what does that mean you’ll be seeing from me in the next little while? Well …

• I’ll be chatting to a lot more everyday adventurers on the In Search of Adventure Show, giving you the insight and courage to take the leap yourself on an adventure you’ve secretly had on your list for a long time
• I’ll be doing my best to understand how we are each coping with this #WorkfromHome gig we have all been thrust into, and then see if I can’t find a way to experiment us to a more streamlined and aerodynamic version of the experience so we can all enjoy it more
• And I’ll be keen to speak to your groups, communities and workplaces about how they can live the life of an action hero … each and every day.

So what’s my point, aside from leaving you in no doubt of my geek status? Well two things really.

First, it’s interesting how much clearer the way forward becomes when you know what your best way to contribute is.

As new opportunities have come up I have felt better able to assess whether they fit me, and whether I am the right fit for them. And so I’d encourage you to undertake a similar exercise for yourself … what’s your natural role? Where do you best add value?

What type of Action Hero are you?

But secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, there is a very serious, and potentially life changing decision I need to make, and so I desperately need your help.

If I’m a test pilot, what should my call sign be????

Heading off to keep pushing those boundaries,

Peita D