Heroes Don't Scale

Module 0, the front door

The Hero Test

The Hero Test is a free, one-minute diagnostic from Russ Reeder's book Heroes Don't Scale. It names why the work in your company waits on one person, which of three cases you are living in, and the first move to make this week.

  1. Who is the company waiting for?
  2. Why does it wait?
  3. What would it take to move without them?

Three to five taps. About a minute.

Answer about yourself first, about a normal working week. You get your case, your first move for this week, and your path through the course. The seven deeper questions come after, if you want them.

No score and no number. You get the case you are living in, where to start, and one thing to do this week.

Read Module 0 first if you want the lesson before the test, or print the blank worksheet and run it on paper.

Loading the Hero Test.

What is key person dependency, and how do you fix it?

Key person dependency is when important work waits on one person: decisions that only reach a result through their calendar, knowledge or relationships only they hold, approvals only they give, or rescues only they perform. The fix is not to make that person replaceable. It is to make what they know transferable, grant the authority that was never granted, and set a cadence that closes decisions without them in the room.

The three cases

  • Never granted. The resources, authority, or support to hand the work off were never granted. The repair is an Authority Grant.
  • Never transferred. A valuable expert holds knowledge nobody has yet helped them transfer. The repair is a path to greater contribution, not a smaller role.
  • Kept close. After the company has kept its side, someone keeps withholding knowledge, overriding agreed decisions, or blocking successors. No time to teach is not withholding. The repair starts with clear expectations, coaching, support, real authority, and time to teach.

What you get

Your case, a first move for this week with a calendar file and a blank audit sheet, your path through the thirteen free modules, and how your answers compare with everyone who has taken it. There is no score and no account to create. Sign in only if you want to keep your result, track your progress, or build a team view.