Is Your Superpower Also Your Kryptonite?
What happens when your greatest strength turns into the thing that’s holding you back?
I had a moment a few months ago that led to a mini-identity crisis. (Yes, this is probably being dramatic, but so what?!?). So here’s what happened… I was having a conversation with an old boss and talking about a situation that had occurred when I was still working for him. This is how it went:
Me: I really needed [insert thing I needed at the time]. I asked and you said no, so I did my best to make it work, but it was very, very hard, and probably contributed to me leaving.
Boss: I didn’t realize you needed it that much. You asked once, but never brought it up again, so I never thought about it again.
Moment of mind-blown and here’s why.
I have always prided myself on my ability to “make it work” (in the famous words of Tim Gunn). I consider it to be one of my greatest strengths. I can take any situation and Make.It.Work. But in this situation, this strength of mine was actually holding me back.
In my mind, this “make it work” mantra represented adaptability, flexibility, and perseverance - all good things that have gotten me very far in my career. But what I failed to acknowledge was that I was anchoring on this strength so much, that I failed to see how these traits also kept me from shooting for higher and asking what could be possible if I did more than just make it work.
We all have strengths, and it is good to be aware of those strengths. This awareness gives us confidence and a sense of stability in who we are. However, it’s also good to be aware of how an over-reliance on those strengths could hold us back or have a dark side, as this article from Harvard Business Review supports.
A few examples:
Superpower: Logical Reasoning; Kryptonite: Lack of an emotional connection
Superpower: Determination; Kryptonite: Sheer stubbornness
Superpower: Influence or Charisma; Kryptonite: Lack of authenticity
I’m not saying you shouldn’t be proud of your superpower! Wear it with pride! BUT, be aware of what dark sides it may hold for you. Don’t let your superpower be your kryptonite.