Superpowers: Do You Know Yours?

“Superpowers” aren’t found only in comic-books and blockbuster movie characters. Everyone has them, but do you realize what they are and how you can use them to their fullest extent?

I work with amazing individuals at FORCE Communications who showcase their superpowers every day and help me spotlight mine, as well. You might be thinking, “What are these superpowers, and how do I get them?” Hint: It’s not by drinking a secret potion manufactured by us or our clients.

At FORCE, the journey to implement Gallup StrengthsFinder and become a strengths-based organization began in August 2018. We started with our leadership team and implemented the program across the organization at the beginning of 2019. “Why did we start this journey,” you ask? Great question! But let me ask you, “Why wouldn’t we want to be on this journey?”

Gallup states, “Organizations with strengths-based cultures experience higher employee engagement, retention, productivity and performance.” Their research also states that people working in their “strengths zone” have more positive, creative, and innovative moments. These sound like pretty good reasons to learn about and capitalize on our superpowers!

With that information, the focus on and commitment to becoming a strengths-based organization was a no-brainer. Doesn’t everyone want to do what they do best at work every day? Shouldn’t a company want its team members to capitalize on their natural talents and appreciate and partner with each other to bring out their best and strive for excellence?  

My top 5 strengths include responsibility, arranger, consistency, harmony, and belief. These were no surprise to me! But when I really focused on how I apply these talents every day, how they might be perceived by others, and how they best partner with those of my colleagues, I discovered that this is truly where the power lies. From my perspective, my responsibility strength means that I am trustworthy, committed, and dependable and take ownership of things. However, someone else might interpret this strength as me being a “control freak.” Communicating with my colleagues and better understanding each other’s strengths and positive superpowers builds the trust and collaboration that high-performing teams need; this is what gives us a true advantage.

FORCE’s top 5 strengths are achiever, learner, responsibility, relator, and strategic. We’ve learned and will continue to expand our knowledge of our strengths. Our company is on an infinite journey. A few of our learnings thus far:

• Understanding personal strengths at a deeper level and how they affect engagement in our career
• Increasing collaboration and reducing frustration
• Knowing why and how strengths appear in communication
• Applying and realizing the positive aspects of strengths and overcoming barrier labels
• Realizing that we may not have all the answers, so we lean on our teammates for new perspectives and solutions

During this time of change and uncertainty, it’s crucial to remain productive and maintain excellence in our work together. When we increase our awareness of our strengths and those of others, we gain a new perspective that opens our minds and hearts. Do you know what your superpowers are and how you’ll use them to make the world better?