Have you ever wondered what you’d say in answer to the question often asked of the rich and famous in magazines: “What super power would you choose?” I’d go for the ability to turn down unwanted noise with a magic volume knob. I can’t bear inconsiderately loud people.
However while that would be very useful, it made me reflect on the super powers we all of us already possess and how we can make better use of them.
Many people, especially women, tend to be modest about our skills. In the context of career progression that’s not helpful. How can we celebrate and make our skills and qualities more visible? As they are familiar to us, we tend to use them unconsciously, without being aware that others are observing or hearing excellence in action. In my view, this unique combination of our attributes create our super powers.
Many of us are brought up not to overtly ‘sell’ ourselves. This can make situations such as interviews uncomfortable. We may hope that our achievements will speak for themselves. Unfortunately you only have to look at the gendered hierarchies in most workplaces to see that’s not the reality.
How can we make sure that others are more clearly aware of our capabilities?
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Identify your super powers
Firstly you need to identify your particular skills and strengths. The easiest way to do this is 3-fold. You can identify your Strengths by completing a Strengths questionnaire. Cappfinity have released a FREE version of their excellent Strengths profile. The more in-depth Introductory profile version is yours for £12.00. This will identify things you are good at and which you enjoy.
Next are skills. This list from jobs board Indeed provides a starting point if you’re not sure where to begin. However it’s by no means an exhaustive one. You may have exceptionally high-level technical or inter-personal skills that go well beyond those listed here.
If you have a professional qualification there may be very specific skills you’ve had to learn and develop over time. If you are a researcher you’ll have a range of very particular skills linked to your area of research.
2. Ask others for their input
We all have blind spots so it’s well worth seeking input from others. Ask friends and colleagues for their feedback. What do they notice you doing really skilfully. What do they appreciate about you? What are you the go-to person for at work? Check whether they identify things you’ve missed.
3. Rank your attributes and provide supporting evidence for them
Put your attributes in order, starting with those you think are your strongest. Then illustrate them by giving examples of how you’ve used them in practice. This will anchor them and help you feel you ‘own’ them, rather than a rather list of abstract words.
4. Identify the combination(s) that give your your super powers
Your top qualities, when combined, create more than the sum of their parts. They will also be unique to you. In action, something magical happens when you use more than just one.
For example, I am best able to use my skill of persuading and influencing other people to do what I want or need if I also demonstrate my integrity then I have the interests of other people at heart. If I also ensure I understand their needs through active listening I am most likely to achieve buy-in with both hearts and minds.
If I use my persuasion skills without integrity I am simply ‘selling.’ Without also listening I may be attempting to sell the wrong idea/approach/product.
5. When have you felt at your most successful and empowered?
What were you doing and how were you doing it? Deconstruct your example to identify the particular the qualities you were using in combination to understand why you were so successful.
6. Project forward
You now have the raw materials from which to create your super power(s). Have fun mixing different examples to see how you might combine them. How can you turbo-charge one by combining it with two others? Try combining three qualities into a personal statement which you could use at the top of your CV. Combine three qualities that ‘fit’ well with the role you’re applying for. See also my post on Personal Branding.
7. Tell people about them!
Imagine you have an interview for a promotion. Some of the questions you will be asked are a great opportunity to promote your super powers. For example:
- Tell me a bit about yourself?
- How would others describe you?
- What would you bring to this role?
These three questions don’t have a ‘right’ answer. However they often take us by surprise us even though we know they may be asked. Understanding your attributes will enable you to prepare well. Avoid the ‘rabbit in the headlights’ moment by thinking through your responses beforehand.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? Marianne Williamson
