What's Your Superpower? How to Identify What Your Superpower Is
What’s the first thing that pops into your mind when I ask, “What’s your superpower?” I bet you immediately start thinking about all the superpowers you don’t have and wished you did, like x-ray vision, super strength, super speed, the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound, and fly. Right?
And what would you say if I asked you “What are all those superpowers for?” What are all those popular Marvel superheroes here to do? Aside from entertain us? What is the main job Superman, Spider-Man, Black Widow, Super Girl, Captain America, Black Panther and all those other superheroes have? That’s right. They’re here to use all those personal attributes and individual strengths to make the world a better place. To help those in need. To stand up for what’s right. And you don’t need x-ray vision to accomplish that!
The simple act counts
Most of us have been taught to “Go big or go home.” That one’s biggest strength is media influence, having lots of money, or having “pull.” Kindness, compassion, and empathy are not seen as unique strengths or unique talents that are valuable. Sure, they might help you make a good impression, but in the context of your work, we’re taught “the race is to the swift and ruthless.” The only way the prize is won is if you’re operating at your full potential. It’s just the nature of the business.
And yet, this is really not true. People who have truly succeeded in life and in business have done so—not because they had some type of superpower—but because they have discovered their unique strengths and maximized them. This is not a nice idea it is a fact. Let me give you a specific example.
Taking a leadership role
The current CEO of Disney, Bob Iger, didn’t get to such a leadership role because he had super speed and super strength. And he didn’t get there just because he was good at team building and was consistently able to pull a lot of creative solutions to problems out of his back pocket. Bob is legendary for many reasons, but not just those. He started working at ABC network doing menial labor on sets because he just knew he wanted to be part of the entertainment industry. He was committed to this dream and determined to do whatever it took to get where he wanted to go.
In his early years at Disney, he was known for his willingness to do whatever work it took to get a project done. He also stood out because of his kindness and genuine interest in listening to team members at all levels in every kind of job around him, finding common goals and building on them. Today, when Iger does a walk-about through Disneyland, employees stop him just to talk and share. People naturally are drawn to gather around him. Because of his care, his vision and expansive thinking, the company has grown exponentially during his tenure as CEO.
So, what are Iger’s own superpowers? What got him to the top? It wasn’t super strength and the ability to bend iron monkey bars with his bare hands. It was commitment. Determination. Kindness. The ability to listen. Vision. Expansive thinking.
What are your individual strengths?
What about you? Looked at this way, what are your superpowers? And don’t tell me you don’t have any. Everybody has unique talents and individual strengths. We just sometimes need the x-ray vision to see deep inside ourselves! And here’s some quick advice: most people when asked to give a specific example of one of their superpowers default to false modesty and start mentally trash talking themselves, citing all the reasons their personal attributes are not so special and that what they know and do don’t matter much.
Nothing could be further from the truth! Exactly who you are is what is needed in this world! Just turn the light on! Look around you! There are people everywhere with perfectly ordinary jobs who do incredibly well. Why? Because they employ their individual strengths to maximize their situation. They bring enthusiasm and participation to the table, even when they are scared or tired.
Have you ever watched how some waitstaff or valet parking attendants make way more money than their colleagues do in tips? Pay attention. Their star method is often just being really present with their customers. The simple act of a direct genuine smile does wonders. Or the simple act of a genuine compliment. When humans feel seen, they are inclined to reward those who make them feel special. These people do well because they have the super strength of adding value by valuing others.
In terms of Systemic Work & Constellations, people who take a leadership role (And yes, you can take a leadership role even as a parking attendant) are capitalizing on two systemic principles: belonging and the balance of give and receive. They make other people feel like they belong on this Earth and that they’re valuable. And this does more than make a good impression. It’s a gift. Their super strength is in their giving. And then they are well rewarded. That’s just how life works.
I once had a very wise teacher who asked me a long time ago, “When you recognize that 90 percent of people in the world are shy, can you find it in your heart to be kind? And, if you can, can you do it a lot?” Those questions changed my life. I knew I could be kind and I knew I should be, and that stayed with me. Now I am proud to claim kindness as one of my own superpowers.
Find your type of superpower
It’s time for you to get beyond your limiting thoughts about yourself. It’s time to reframe your unique strengths as your own superpowers and activate them. So, how do you do that?
The best way to find your own superpowers is to take a simple index card or some sticky notes and write down a specific example of the things you like about yourself on each one. Maybe it’s being upbeat. Maybe you notice things that others don’t. (Maybe you’ll be a great detective someday!) Maybe you have a flare for color. Or for making people feel at ease. There is always something, even if it is small.
Once you have identified your own superpowers, ask yourself: “Do I ever try to minimize these superpowers of mine? Do I downplay them? Think they’re nothing?” And if the answer is “Yes,” I guess from now on you won’t do that. Will you?
The other best way to find your own superpowers is the positive things people say about you.
Write down everything you remember that people have said about you, the talents you have or the character traits they admire. And if you can’t recall, go ask them! Ask your friends and family members what they admire about you. What they see are your unique strengths. And take good notes.
Write down each specific example of your unique talents and then put the list where you see it everyday. Now, ask yourself: “How can I maximize these unique strengths of mine?” In the context of your work, think about how these personal attributes can make a difference.
And then start doing these things! Take action! And if you find yourself reluctant and scared to do this, remember: You are not at risk when you are in service to others. Being in service makes us brave and also brings great rewards. And if you can flip your mindset to focus in on your individual strengths instead of your flaws, you may find yourself overcoming years or even generations of unfulfillment. In other words, you are changing your emotional DNA.
Not everybody has x-ray vision, but if you take what you do have all the way—the sky is not the limit.
I look forward to showing you how to release your Fear DNA and unleash your fullest potential. For more information about my 2024 events click here.
