We would think that advising a senior manager to use their exceptional ability to exert pressure was a bit over the top. In the USA, they prefer to tell them to play to their strengths.
Superpowers are not the ones associated with comic-book heroes, but rather enhanced abilities in areas such as empathy, creative thought, determination, decisiveness and systems thinker. Leaders in organizations use their abilities to get things done/get what they want.
Play to your strengths. Be aware of your shortcomings, but concentrate on maximizing your strengths. You don’t have to be all-round. Competence in everything does not make you a superpower.
CEOs and those who aspire to this position believe that they can use their strengths to further their agenda.
In order to identify your superpower, you need to reflect on what comes easily. You may be empathetic by nature, and without even thinking about it, you can understand and share others’ feelings. This ability is very valuable for a senior manager, as it allows you to establish rapport with others and influence them. Ask a trusted colleague or mentor to identify your strengths.
Once you have identified your strengths, make sure to use them. If you are a creative person, keep coming up with new ideas. If your determination is something that defines you, use it in areas of work requiring energy, enthusiasm, and stamina. Focus on the big picture if you can see the connection between all the parts.
It may seem a bit OTT to call strengths “superpowers”, but the advice on how to maximize them is sound.
