Dear Subscriber First Name

I enjoy writing this email each fortnight. My goal has always been to help you, or someone you work with, solve workplace challenges, not try to impress you with how much I know about schemas.

However, I can be guilty of letting my enthusiasm carry me away in a schema-soaked explanation of its power - perhaps it's my 'approval seeking' side showing? See, I've just done it again!

This left me wondering: what's the best way to explain the meaning of a person's healthy side, something I touched on last week

Check it out: “Your boss has Schemas too!”

So, let's talk about Batman. Yes, you read that correctly. Batman.

Batman and Your Healthy Side (cue dramatic music…)

Behind the imposing, gravel-voiced, masked superhero, who else is Batman?

Enthusiasts will tell you Batman, aka Bruce Wayne, suffered massive childhood trauma when his parents were gunned down in front of him. Young Bruce used his being orphaned as motivation to avenge his parents' death and serve Gotham City like his wealthy, successful father did, only as Batman.

Today's Bruce Wayne is quite the alpha-male, even narcissistic, inheriting his father's business empire, Wayne Enterprises.

What about his critics? The Joker, Riddler, or Penguin—what do they have to say about him?

Finally, there's Alfred, Bruce's gentle, politely spoken dapper butler. He's wise, considered, and calm, and the ultimate protector.

More than anything, Alfred always helps Bruce, and Batman, see reason. When Alfred speaks, they listen.

Last week, I mentioned how the most important step in a client's Schema coaching journey is getting to know and growing their healthy side, also known as the ‘healthy adult’.

It got me thinking: What if we used our 'Batman' approach to identify everyday workplace challenges?

Richard's Challenge: Over-functioning Burnout

Let's look at the case of Richard:

Richard is a talented project manager who's been earmarked for promotion. However, Richard presents with classic signs of over-functional burnout. He's consistently taking on too much, struggling to delegate, and trying too hard to impress. His leaders see his potential but are concerned about his lack of an 'off' switch.

Using the 'Batman' approach with Richard, it's fair to say his 'Perfectionistic Bruce' regularly shows up, as he struggles to hear feedback from colleagues and disregards the thoughts of others.

Deadlines are near. Richard's clearly in over his head, yet he's going at breakneck speed, working countless hours to achieve the impossible. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it's Richard’s inner Batman trying to save the day, and working himself to a standstill as usual. *sigh….

What Would Alfred Do?

Richard's put himself through the wringer for the umpteenth time and is about to again. Only this time, he asks himself: "What would Alfred say and do in this moment?"

All Hollywood blockbusters have a hero saving the day, and this one’s no different - but could the hero be?

Your Challenge: Find Your Inner Alfred

Richard's story highlights a powerful truth: we all have an "Alfred" within us - that wise, calm, and grounded part of our healthy side, ready to guide and protect us when our old patterns, or "villains," try to take over.

So, here's your challenge for the next week:

Pay attention to those moments when you feel your own 'Bruce Wayne' or 'villains' taking the wheel. It could be the urge to overwork, to avoid a difficult conversation, or to seek approval when it's not needed.

In that moment, pause and ask yourself: "What would my inner Alfred say or do right now?"

Listen for that quiet, rational voice. It might suggest a different approach, a moment of self-compassion, or a healthy boundary. Acting on that inner wisdom is how you consciously choose your healthy side.