Superman 2025 presents something different and indeed significant: a hero whose most important power is not flying, laser vision, or super strength, but compassion
In a time of uncertainty and global tensions, the 2025 re-imagining of Superman is a breath of fresh air. Unlike the gritty anti-heroes and ethically ambiguous heroes who have dominated the theaters in recent years, Superman 2025 presents something different and indeed significant: a hero whose most important power is not flying, laser vision, or super strength, but compassion.
Yes, kindness.
In a world on the brink of chaos, Superman 2025 shows the Man of Steel to be more than a hero but as a humane being who saves lives, does his best to save as many as he can (even squirrels), and refuses to accept that killing his enemy is the only solution. He leads not by being in command, but by presence and by adhering to solid values. The movie comes at the right time: at the same time that real-world problems—especially the recent typhoons that affected numerous Filipinos—are putting our leaders, both government and non-government, to the test.
Seeing Superman 2025 on a rainy day was an unexpected but thought-provoking experience. The central message of the movie, that real strength is in being kind and compassionate, seemed really important. It posed a genuine question: when things go wrong, who actually rescues us?
While government authorities are ultimately the ones under scrutiny during typhoons, Filipinos also look to their organizational leaders for guidance. In times of crisis, it is often the non-government leaders, those who lead companies, schools, and civic organizations, whose actions have the most immediate impact on people’s lives.
So how did they respond?
Others moved swiftly and with empathy. I have seen posts from friends where their employers provided flexible scheduling, and were quick to provide assistance. Others provided paid leaves for those gravely impacted by flooding. But above all, I hope some leaders did something surprisingly basic: a phone call or a simple chat or SMS to inquire how individuals were faring.
I believe most people have lost sight of how much it matters to check in with others as a form of care. When we’re so caught up with getting things done today, it’s a big deal to just say “How are you?” It makes us feel noticed. It makes us remember that our health and well-being is more than what we do. (SPOILER ALERT!) We see this in Superman, in a brief but potent moment, Pa and Ma Kent have over 70 missed calls to their son, concerned of his safety and well-being. And from what we know of Superman, his immense goodness and sense of morality did not just automatically come with his powers; it came from the Kents, who brought him up with goodness and a very strong sense of responsibility.
Actions like this can be incredibly powerful during tough times. They make people feel remembered, valued, and cared for. They are reminded that they are more than a name on a list and a face on a screen. A small gesture of kindness can transform everything from hopeless to hopeful.
Silence during a crisis is not silence. It says something. It says: “You’re on your own.” Leaders do not need to have all the answers during a moment of uncertainty. They can be afraid or vulnerable like everyone else. But they must love their people enough to stand up for them, to check in on them, to drop work when necessary, and to treat every employee as a human being worthy of respect and compassion.
As what fans have said: “Kindness is cool again, thanks to Superman”. We need CEOs that have a people-first mindset. We need HR leaders who genuinely care about well-being as much as protecting the organizations from labor lawsuits. We need team leaders who understand that it is as important to ask “Are you safe?” as it is to ask “Did you finish the report?”
Let our leaders seek inspiration in Superman. Not for his superpowers, but for the courage to be compassionate. In the end, we don’t need superheroes. We just need leaders who, like Superman, understand that strength isn’t about being invincible, it’s about being human.
As he says in one of the film’s most memorable lines: “I’m as human as anyone. I love, I get scared. I wake up every morning and despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other and I try to make the best choices I can. I screw up all the time, but that is being human and that’s my greatest strength.”
From that place of shared humanity, may our leaders choose to lead with empathy, integrity, and heart.
Jessica Ranieses is an Associate Professor at the Department of Decision Sciences and Innovation of De La Salle University. She is also the President of the Philippine Academy of Management, an association dedicated to advancing responsible and relevant management scholarship and practice in the country. She earned both her Doctor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from DLSU. Jessica can be contacted at jessica.ranieses@dlsu.edu.ph.
The perspectives shared in this piece are solely the author’s and do not necessarily represent the official views of De La Salle University, its faculty, or its administration.
