What are your Superpowers?

“What are your superpowers?” This is a question I use with my clients which often results in a chuckle and conjures images of Marvel or DC characters fighting evildoers with their laser eyes, superhuman strength or assorted high tech gadgets. We all have superpowers in our work. These are the unique abilities that we bring to leading teams, solving problems or serving clients that have made us successful in our careers.

1. Aren’t superpowers just strengths? Superpowers are strengths that, when combined, are more powerful together and are unique to that person. Many leaders are strong communicators, but some will combine that skill with mentorship and vision to be a leader who’s able to create a devoted following. Others will combine their communication skills with an understanding of internal politics and strategic priorities to gain support or resources for their initiatives.
2. How do I figure out my superpowers? I encourage my clients to focus on a major project or challenge that they took on in their career and think through how they approached it vs. how one of their peers would have. Are you a leader who can inspire your team with your vision? Can you navigate complex, political environments to move projects forward? Can you see ahead and anticipate where a project might get off track? We sometimes can’t see our own superpowers, so it can be helpful to look at past performance reviews or speak with peers or managers.
3. How do I use my superpowers? Knowing your superpowers can be essential when evaluating a new project, role or company. They can also help you identify when you might need a partner to help you navigate a project that doesn’t align with your superpowers. If your superpower is getting projects done on time and within budget, but you sometimes have trouble getting the resources you need upfront, you can tap a colleague who has those skills to brainstorm ways to use existing resources or identify resources you hadn’t thought of.
4. How do I apply my superpowers to my career? Finding a company culture or team environment that aligns with your superpowers is key to your success and job satisfaction. If you are exceptional at coming up with new ideas and approaches and you’re working in a culture where they just want to do things the way they always have, you may feel stifled. If you are excellent at managing projects on time and under budget and you work in a culture where deadlines are flexible or missed all the time, you will be frustrated.
5. How do I know if my superpowers are valued at a future employer? The best way to evaluate this is by asking questions during an interview such as “What does success look like in this role?”, “What is the best way to onboard into this company?” or “How have you seen others successfully integrate into to the team?”. These answers will help you see if there is a match between your superpowers and what is expected in the role. You can then determine if it’s the right place for you.

Renee Begy is a Board Certified Coach and the Owner of Principal Talent Group, an executive coaching firm where she leverages her 20+ years of talent experience to help executives navigate career transitions. Please reach out at [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about her coaching services.