In the UK we would consider advising  an aspiring senior manager to, use the force of their exceptional ability to bring pressure bear,  as a little over the top. Preferring to suggest they play to their strengths or as they call them in the USA superpowers.

The superpowers in question are not those associated with comic book heroes but heightened  abilities in the areas of empathy, creative thinking, determination, decisiveness, systems thinker ( someone who understands how all the pieces fit together). Abilities that leaders in organisations draw upon to make things happen/get their own way.

Play to your strengths, be aware of your weaknesses but focus on making the most effective use of your strengths. Don’t try and be an all rounder, competent at everything  is no substitute for a superpower.

We are all better at something’s than others,  CEO’s or those who are aspiring to these post believe they can turn a strength into a superpower and use it to advance their agenda.

Identifying your super power involves reflecting on what comes naturally. For example are you by nature empathetic, without really thinking about it you have the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. This is a very useful ability in a senior manager as you can use this insight to relate to others, establish a rapport and exert influence. Another way of identifying your strengths is ask a colleague or mentor someone who knows you well and whose opinion you trust.

Having established your strengths exploit them. If you’re a creative thinker keep the ideas coming, if your determination is a defining characteristic apply it to areas of work that require energy, enthusiasm and stamina. If you have the ability to see how all the pieces fit together then focus on the big picture.

Calling strengths, “superpowers “ may be a little OTT but the advice to make the most of them is good.