Knowing your Superpower — Blake Johnson

Everyone has a list of personal strengths that come naturally. Everyone also has a list of things that do not come as easy as they do to others. I find that people’s strengths and weaknesses generally fall into one (or more) of three categories:

IQ
EQ
Athletic/Physical

My definition of each is generally defined as follows:

IQ: This is strictly academic. It is the ability to quickly learn new and complex topics largely rooted in the long list of things we are traditionally presented and tested on within our academic institutions.
EQ: aka Emotional Intelligence. This is that esoteric ability to understand and connect with other people. People with a high EQ can effortlessly adjust their words and emotions to meet and satisfy an ever changing landscape of different people from all different walks, cultures and ages.
Athletic/Physical: This is obvious, but for the sake of the definition it refers to superior hand/eye coordination, speed and/or physical attributes.

When you present this list to most people , most can quickly pinpoint which one they feel is their superior strength as compared to the other two. While it’s important to work on getting better at the things you are not naturally great at, I would argue that it is even more important to create a life for yourself that highlights and focuses on the strength that comes most naturally to you.

If you struggle with something, make sure that your livelihood and lifestyle does not shine a big, bright spotlight on it daily. Instead, gravitate to a spot or position in your career/life where you are truly the most comfortable. The area you accel in should be at the center of your life. Find out what your superpower is, and lean into it. This is step 1….

Once you have accomplished Step 1, the next step is even more powerful when building an organization (business, family, etc.). Step 2 is to surround yourself with those who have strengths that you do not, and to align your collective interests and pursuits to rely on each other’s ‘superpowers’ in accomplishing great feats.