It takes some serious self-awareness for a leader to turn your strengths into superpowers.Let’s review a step-by-step process.
First: Identify your strengths. If you have taken a self assessment like DISC, Predictive Index, Strength-Finds, Myers-Briggs, etc., you have self-identified your strengths. Don’t make the common mistake of dismissing what is identified as a strength. So many times, the self talk is that “everyone has that strength.” Not true. If it comes easy to you and you notice that it is hard for others, appreciate it for a strength.
Second: What strengths are you currently using? What lights you up when you get to use it? Are you using your strengths most days on the job? Great. Note what is working for you and double down on developing those and others that you could grow. Maybe, you have some valuable strengths that you are not using much. Perhaps, you are really analytical but are in a role that mostly is about organizing and executing. You jump at the chance to review the data on your team’s success. If you love execution and are constantly asked for strategy, does that drag you down? If you expect someone else to discover this for you, it might happen, but a better choice is to figure this out for yourself .
Third: Ask or take opportunities to use the strengths that will make a difference for your and the organization’s success. Most supervisors appreciate initiative and are thrilled if you volunteer to take on a new project. If you cannot use them at work, where else can you apply them? At a non-profit you support? In your family, your community, organizations you belong to?
You may discover and use other strengths as you go along. The more you exercise them, like muscles, the bigger they grow. If you hear peers identify you as the go-to person for analysis, or interpersonal conflict resolution or process improvement, one of your superpowers may be clearly visible. Don’t stop there. You probably have more muscles to build to stay balanced and healthy.
If you don’t think Vistage peer groups get value at every meeting-from the speakers, the conversations and the input from your peers, don’t click here.
Photo of Bogie searching for his superpower (or a marmot)