Unlocking your Superpowers and Finding your Gaps
Okay, pop quiz time…
Are qualities inherent traits or learned behaviors?
(Have you already figured out that this is a trick question?)
We often think of qualities as inherent traits that are unchangeable. And for some of our qualities, that’s partially true. I’m sure you could think of a quality you have that someone who’s known you from childhood might say, “oh yeah, you were always that way.”
But in reality, qualities are also behaviors that can be learned and cultivated through practice and dedication. And it’s these qualities that help us unlock our superpowers and recognize the best roles we can play in business, teams, and society.
Many of us don’t think about our qualities on a regular basis – they’re just parts of ourselves that are seemingly always there. But taking a deep look at yourself and the unique qualities you have to offer can help you figure out what you can contribute to a role, project, or team. If I were in the room with you, I’d start by asking you a few questions:
What are your strongest qualities? How do these qualities help you navigate your personal and professional life?
What qualities do you think you need to accomplish your goals?
What is a quality you would like to develop? How might you start to cultivate that quality?
Even with practice and dedication, it’s not realistic – or even wise – for every individual to embody every quality. For example, those who lack patience can sometimes need to pause and take a step back to move an idea forward. But losing that sense of urgency entirely is not useful either, particularly if you’re trying to get something off the ground.
Understanding your qualities can help you accomplish your goals and determine what – or more importantly who – you might need to help. This is why enrolling others in your vision is crucial for moving ideas forward. Sometimes we need to find partners and others who can balance our qualities and help fill in the gaps on missed opportunities.
So, as you’re looking to connect with others who can help you activate on your vision, think about what qualities you’re seeking and how these other people might help you get there, whether by contributing directly to your idea or by helping you cultivate that new quality in yourself. Each person has a unique set of skills and qualities they can contribute, and cultivating that right combination will help you move further with a greater chance of success.
As Ben Horowitz famously shared in his 2015 Commencement address at Columbia University, “don’t follow your passion…follow your contribution. Find that thing that you’re great at, put that into the world, contribute to others, [and] help the world be better.”
If you're looking for help unlocking your superpowers, check out our Coaching page or drop us a line at hello@theconnectors.net to see how we can work with you.
