The mid-career professional's free coaching guide - Part 8 of 10

August 9, 2023

Channel your genius: How to Find and Use Your Superpower at Work

?Are you a seasoned professional or just starting out, who has never had a formal Performance Coach? My goal with this 10-part series is to help you develop the skills you need to succeed in your career and personal life. #professional development.

It goes out as a gift from me especially for all my MBA and Media students over 250 of them, in enviable jobs and roles in the consulting, corporate and media world as well as start-ups, many of whom said "Mam, when will we earn enough to be coached by you?". These are 10 #coaching lessons I have put together that enabled my very successful and fast-tracked corporate career, that I was lucky to figure out early enough.

These tips and techniques can surely help you, if time or money got in the way, but you are an #inspired self-starter. In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of finding your superpower and using it to advance your career and make a difference.

If no one told you and you have been working for 7+ years and not figured, having a #Superpower is a genius idea to navigate your #leadership journey. Do you know what your superpower is? I’m not talking about flying, invisibility, or telepathy. I’m talking about a unique strength that you bring to your work, one that makes you stand out from the crowd, the one that people come to you for.

Your superpower is the thing that you do effortlessly and excellently, the thing that gives you joy and satisfaction, the thing that adds value to your team and your organization. Your superpower is your genius work. Finding and using your superpower can make a huge difference in your work and life. It can help you achieve more, enjoy more, and contribute more. It can help you become the best version of yourself.

Opportunities to know and show your superpower:

·??????Ask for feedback. One of the best ways to find your superpower is to ask others who know you well and work with you closely. Ask them what they think you are good at, what they rely on you for, what they appreciate about you. You might be surprised by what they say.

·??????Look for opportunities to apply your superpower in your current projects, tasks, and roles. Seek out challenges that require your superpower. Offer to help others who need your superpower. Practice your superpower. The best way to use your superpower is to practice it regularly and deliberately.

·??????When you do a simple task that demonstrates a strength or skill, it is a good opportunity for a recruiter, boss, leader to assess your ability to be creative or a problem solver, or logical – our superpowers hide many behavioural strengths and competencies. Don’t hesitate to show another side of you at the workplace, even if your job role doesn’t require it.

Quick actions (and once you have done at least one of these, tag me or drop me a comment to share how it went):

1.????Keep it simple, if you know calligraphy, volunteer to write cards or certificates. If you are good at graphics, volunteer to do the graphics for an important pitch.

2.????Keep your friends circle, your peer group updated on your superpower by demonstrating it at a private party or a social function in office and make sure you post to social media and take photos and record it. Word goes around fast about a great cook or someone who is tech-savvy or can repair any electricals. A good problem solver or creative thinker is an asset on any team.

3.???Be the person that shows up.?In a crisis situation like a last-minute PowerPoint pitch to a client or a first aid emergency, or a backup dancer or musician, show up and take your place in the sun. Do not feel shy or hesitant.

Where to start: Still figuring where to start to plan, here's a book recommendation: “Stand Out: How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It’’ by Dorie Clark

If you found this post useful and got to the end of it, drop me your favourite emoji or a comment. #Follow for the next part of the series.

Ends.