Children, as with most customers and clients, don’t want a hero.

They want to be the hero.

Your job, then, is to be their guide.

You’re Sam; they’re Frodo.

You’re Watson; they’re Sherlock Holmes.

You’re the rhythm section; they’re the singer.

In some ways, this can be a bit of an egoic letdown. Like if you’ve pictured yourself as someone who swoops in to save people from their problems.

But in more ways, I think it’s a huge relief.

If you’re someone who likes to help people—if you’ve built a business around doing just that—then this can be music to your ears.

Unheroically,
James

P.S. I’ve never really gotten into it, but I’m aware that this is a big idea in Donald Miller’s StoryBrand framework. Credit where it’s due.