The Lost Art of Heroism with Dr. Scott Allison
Modern culture has stripped heroism of its everyday relevance, but individuals possess more heroic potential than they realize
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Key takeaways
Modern culture has stripped heroism of its everyday relevance, but individuals possess more heroic potential than they realize
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For many people, the word "hero" stirs up some resistance. The notion is that heroes exist "out there" in some far away place but not upclose in our lives, and certainly avoiding the possibility that each of us have the opportunity to be a hero, or be heroic in our own way.
This conversation with Dr. Scott Allison was a true treat. Dr. Allison is professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Richmond and a leading researcher and author on heroism and leadership. He has dedicated his career to studying what makes a hero, the psychological patterns behind heroic action, and how ordinary people can step into their own flavor of heroism.
In this episode of Tuesdays with Morrisey, host Adam Morrisey speaks with Dr. Scott Allison. Together, they explore the myths and realities of heroism, the psychology behind heroic leadership, and how we can apply these lessons to our own lives. See the top takeaways below.
Top Takeaways
- Heroism is Love in Action – Scott defines heroism as an act of love, selflessness, and courage that anyone is capable of demonstrating.
- The Hero's Journey is Universal – We all go through trials, transformations, and growth, just like mythological heroes. The key is how we use our experiences to help others.
- Small Acts Have a Ripple Effect – Heroism isn't just about grand gestures—small acts of kindness, resilience, and service add up to a heroic life.
- The Shadow Side of Heroism – Even heroes have flaws and struggles. Scott explains how overcoming personal challenges often leads to a greater capacity to serve others.
- We Are Drawn to Stories for a Reason – Whether in movies, mythology, or real life, stories of heroism shape how we see ourselves and the world. Learning to analyze and apply them can help us grow.
Topics Covered
- The meaning and personal significance of W.H. Auden's quote, "We must love one another or die."
- Dr. Allison's decades-long exploration of heroism
- Why people often see heroism as distant—and what shifts that perception
- Insights from Joseph Campbell, Dr. Phil Zimbardo, and the heroic mindset
- Common traits of heroic leaders across history and myth
- The shadow side of heroes and how strengths often stem from hardship
- The role of cultural myths in shaping our worldview
- Reflections on modern leadership and the disappearing "unsung hero"
- Heroic principles for everyday life
We hope this conversation with Dr. Scott Allison inspires you to recognize the heroism in yourself and those around you.
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About the author
Strategic thinker, continuous learner, and connector. Experience working with high growth and established businesses in strategic, financial, managerial, and operational capacities. Track record of excelling amidst ambiguity, across differences and in a variety of industries and environments. Adam is currently Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Shipshape, a rapidly growing start-up out of Austin, TX focused on helping homeowners monitor and maintain the critical systems of their homes through the application of AI and IOT technologies, with the ultimate goal of making homes smart enough to take care of themselves. Shipshape empowers homeowners with powerful data to help them make smarter decisions about their home and connect them to other service providers in the home support industry. In Adam’s role, he seeks win-win outcomes with strategic partners in the service contractor, manufacturer, insurance, real estate, energy, and smart home sectors. Prior to Shipshape, Adam was a Director at Trumont Group, a privately held investment firm with offices in Dallas and Phoenix. Adam attended Miami University (Ohio) and started his career at PwC. In the community, Adam works closely with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Beyond the Ball and Social Venture Partners. In his free time, Adam enjoys reading, writing, traveling and hosting the "Tuesdays with Morrisey" podcast which facilitates conversations with authors, entrepreneurs and thought-leaders.
