Every now and then, I bump up against that old Tall poppy syndrome. Knowing what I bring to the table helps me to stand strong. It also helps to have people in your life who don't let you play small and that call the greatness out of you. You know who you are ;-)
I was on a call with a great leader yesterday and he pointed out something I do well, I followed it up with a very apologetic comment that it was"kinda my superpower". He called me out for not owning it. I so appreciated it. I repeated it, this time with the confidence I really do have. It felt right. (cue superhero stance, wind blowing hair, cape flapping)
Do you ever catch yourself doing that? Why do we do that? Are we afraid it will come across as bragging? I know I was afraid of that. I realised the 6 years of working and living in New Zealand has rubbed off because in the South African context you are expected to voice the value you bring. I have learnt over the six years it can be misconstrued and shows that the Tall Poppy syndrome is,unfortunately, something we sometimes deal with., albeit subconsciously.
Now, don't hear what I am not saying... I love how we do business in New Zealand, I find it far more "Relactional" - relationship first and transaction as a consequence. In fact, I think I am a better business person for the combination.
I say all that to point out that, you have to know or recognise your superpower before you can own it. I am fortunate, that because of the work I do with and my understanding around CliftonStrengths and Working Genius, I am crystal clear on the contribution I make because of how I am wired and how I behave and operate in that context and what it means for my team or the clients I work with.
Understanding these tools, firstly gives me the self-awareness I need to recognise what it is that I bring to the table and what it is that I need in order to be at my best for others. Secondly, it brings an awareness of others, and this is why I get whomever I am working with to do either or both the CliftonStrength and Working Genius assessments. This way we can not only recognise and use our individual strengths and genius's but we can leverage each other's to achieve the result we are after.
Just to clarity, the CliftonStrengths is not a personality assessment, it measures how we naturally feel, think and behave frequently and powerfully. The Working Genius, it how we work together. It touches on personality, but it is mainly a productivity tool. I have found together they create an incredible insight into how we can be at our most effective and efficient, basically it's our superpower, it is what makes us awesome. (Cue Superhero stance and soundtrack).
Do you know what your superpower is? Would you like to?
Reach out, it's what I do!
It is my superpower! ;-)
