In the last episode we talked about identifying your core values so you could use them, almost like a compass set to your True North, with more awareness. Knowing your values and using them as a guide to make decisions will help you to be more peaceful and confident day-to-day. In this episode I wanted to talk about other qualities you have, that you may not be fully aware of, that can also help you to find the success your looking for. We are entering an era where success in business will be determined by the relationships we’ve built over time. As a leader, what does this mean for you? A lot. Why Your Leadership Matters Today, many employees consider the overall culture of an organization, the amount of freedom they’ll have in their position, and how they can contribute to and make an impact there. Consumers aren’t basing their buying choices solely on cost. They’re researching more than ever before to find out what a brand really represents – its mission, values, and history. Given this shift, strong leadership itself is a superpower. And our society is ever-obsessed with superhero figures. When I was a child I wanted to be like Wonder Woman, She-Ra, and GI Jane. In my years as a corporate leader I loved and was inspired by the then more recent superhero characters in Trinity from The Matrix, Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, and Michelle Yeoh's character from Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. To me, these characters embodied strength, self-assurance and a willingness to take a different path. They endeavored for the greater good at great sacrifice to themselves. They had superb fighting skills but used them judiciously and only when necessary. Defining Your Leadership Superpowers As a leader, take a moment to reflect on your own superpowers – those special qualities that make you shine in your role. Remember, virtually every professional interaction gives you the opportunity to build – or slowly destroy – your relationships. Here are some qualities that come to mind when I think of leadership superpowers: Authenticity: You say what you mean, and mean what you say. You consider whether your actions are really aligned with your inner thoughts and feelings. You’re not afraid to speak up when something needs to be said. Reliability: Others can count on you. Sure, we all make mistakes from time to time – but you own up to your mistakes and work to make it right. Everyone knows you’re dependable and won’t jump ship when the going gets tough. Inspiration: You bring out the best in others, encouraging them to discover – and use – their own superpowers. People are motivated not only by your own unique strengths, but also by your ability to hone in on theirs. Other superpowers I think of are: warmth, humor, being open to constructive feedback, sharing (within reason) your thoughts or personal stories, visionary thinking, listening, ability to plan effectively and to successfully re-route those plans when they don’t fall into place, willingness to commit, and a desire to give back to others. Use Those Superpowers! Just like your favorite superhero, use your superpowers to build quality relationships, lead your team, and inspire others – in business and in life. And as any great superhero would, wield your powers to annihilate any quality that isn’t serving your highest good (we all have them!) – such as being overly judgmental, critical, or condescending, blaming others, being argumentative or continually wanting to prove your point, or even, being unresponsive. And, (since you’re only human, after all) when you need a little inspiration of your own, just envision your favorite superhero, busting through all that evil and making everything alright again... There are tools out there that are designed to help you get to know yourself better and identify your unique Superpowers: DiSC Myers Briggs Strength finders Fascination Advantage There are many more indicators but these are the more popular ones and the ones I am most familiar with. If