What's YOUR Superpower?

In Seth Godin's new book, Linchpin: Are You Indispensable, he remembers his younger days when he enjoyed reading comic books like The Justice League and The Legion of Superheroes. He recounts how these stories always included the addition of new characters and the obligatory introduction to each of the super heroes.

Superman and Batman, of course, needed no introduction but less celebrated heroes like the Wasp did:

"I'm the Wasp. I have the ability to shrink to a height of several centimeters, fly by means of insectoid wings and fire energy blasts."

That's certainly useful information to have, especially when you're in a pinch and the person next to you is this Wasp guy!

So Seth's point is well-taken. We should all strive to develop a superpower and to let others know what it is. We're all capable of it. Each of us has been blessed with unique strengths that when refined and fully expressed (so that they become truly "super") can create value for our families, organizations and community.

This is not a new idea. The visionary Peter Drucker and others have long argued that the best way to be successful at work is to identify and hone your strengths.

Personally, I'm a big fan of the Strengths Finder 2.0 book and online strengths assessment. I encourage everyone I work with to buy the book and take the "test." I think it's invaluable for their self-development and is useful for the other team members, including management.

Once you know that John in the corner cubicle is an innovator with a highly analytical mind and a knack for wooing people you'll know how to interact with him more effectively, and in which situations his unique superpowers will come in handy.

So take the time to think about it. Do you have a superpower? What is it? And are you sure it's really SUPER?