Unleash your professional superpower: A journey of self-discovery
Here are some ways to refine and unleash your unique talents, transforming your work life from ordinary to extraordinary
EVER wonder how some individuals seem to leap the corporate ladder with ease, almost like Superman? Wish you had superpowers of your own?
In fact, we are all unknowingly harbouring superpowers that could revolutionise our careers. While schools can teach us skills and knowledge, the real magic happens when we combine that with our unique experiences and personality traits.
Let us explore some methods to refine and unleash your unique professional talents, transforming your work life from ordinary to extraordinary.
Becoming Batman – the multidisciplinary master
As children, many of us idolised superheroes. For me, Batman stood out as a master of multiple skills, both physical and mental.
This admiration led me down a path of continuous learning, acquiring new skills and achieving diverse capabilities in several different industries.
I have found that this approach enables me to connect dots across seemingly unrelated events, a crucial skill in today’s complex business world.
BT in your inbox
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
Although constantly learning and putting oneself in unfamiliar situations can be uncomfortable, this multidisciplinary approach is increasingly valued in the workplace.
According to a 2024 LinkedIn report, employees with both hard and soft skills got promoted 8 per cent faster. The ability to synthesise information from various domains is becoming a superpower.
Action item: Volunteer for cross-department projects or take courses that are outside your comfort zone. You might just uncover a hidden talent or passion.
Becoming the Flash – mastering flow
Some of us thrive on routines, while others may find their groove tackling unique challenges.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who coined the flow theory in psychology, found that people in flow states experience higher levels of creativity and productivity.
A 10-year study by Susie Cranston and Scott Keller published by McKinsey & Company in 2013 showed that individuals in flow were 500 per cent more productive.
I discovered my flow state during my first job when I was tasked with launching a product without precedent. Creating the go-to-market plan took me months, yet it felt like mere days. This experience also revealed a new superpower for me: problem-solving in uncharted territories.
Action item: Keep a work diary for a week. Note tasks that energise you and those that drain you. Look for patterns in the energising activities, especially those that make time fly.
Becoming Rogue – absorbing feedback
In her 2017 book Insight: The Surprising Truth About How Others See Us, How We See Ourselves, and Why the Answers Matter More Than We Think, organisational psychologist Tasha Eurich revealed that while 95 per cent of people believe they are self-aware, only 10 to 15 per cent truly are.
Though we may think we know ourselves best, there is often a significant gap between how we see ourselves and how others perceive us. Seeking external feedback can bridge this gap, helping us become more aware of our true strengths.
Our superpowers are more evident to others than to ourselves. Marie Kondo, known for her almost spiritual approach to tidying, loved organising and house cleaning as a child.
When friends and even strangers started to pay her for her tidying services, her superpower built a multi-million dollar business.
Action item: Ask five colleagues or mentors: ‘What do you think I do exceptionally well?’ and look for recurring themes in their responses.
Becoming Captain America – victory through values
A value-driven approach is becoming increasingly important in career choices.
A 2021 Deloitte survey revealed that 44 per cent of Millennials and 49 per cent of Gen Z workers chose jobs based on personal values. If you do not believe in the mission or values of your work, your superpower may never surface.
A client of mine was working under a manager who admired Steve Jobs and adopted his hard-hitting and aggressive management styles.
She wanted to climb the corporate ladder; and to succeed, she believed that she had to lead her team in the same manner. She not only alienated her team, but also went into depression as it went against her core value of a collaborative work culture.
With her team working against her and failing to deliver results, she eventually left the corporate world and started her own business.
She decided to foster a collaborative and supportive environment where her staff felt engaged at work and staff from her competitors wanted to join her company.
By aligning her leadership style with her personal values, she discovered her superpower of creating an engaged work environment.
Action item: List your top five personal values. Now, identify leadership styles or professions that align with these values.
Becoming Mystique – the change champion
Superpowers evolve as we gain new experiences and insights. When asked to take on a project outside your specialisation, the instinct might be to decline. Yet, this challenge might actually be the opportunity you need to bring out your superpower.
In my early career, my superpower was building collaborative environments and connecting dots – which greatly aligned with my product marketing roles.
When the company had to “right-size” and reduce staff, I was tasked with working and training global teams. Though it was not part of my formal training, I jumped in with gusto and this revealed another superpower: coaching and teaching.
Action item: Do not be afraid of sailing in unfamiliar seas. The change might be just what triggers your new powers.
In conclusion, your superpower might be something as subtle as simplifying complex ideas or as transformative as inspiring a team to achieve the impossible. Whatever it may be, embrace it fully. The world is waiting for your unique contributions.
The writer is founder of consultancy Product Launch Guru
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.
