What are your Superpowers? And how do you articulate what makes you unique?

Most professionals either downplay their strengths in the name of humility or over-list them hoping quantity creates impact. This week we cut through the noise: pick a few signature strengths, build depth, and let your reputation do the talking—grounded in research and real practice.

Why This Matters

In a world of distraction and constant comparison, clarity wins. As Cal Newport argues in Deep Work, the ability to focus deeply on a few demanding skills is a “superpower” in today’s economy because it accelerates learning and high-value output. Cal Newport

Psychology research echoes this: using your signature strengths—select, authentic capabilities you deploy often—correlates with improved well-being and performance. Strengths-based development is also linked with better engagement and business outcomes. In other words, fewer, truer strengths → more meaningful results. PMCGallup.com.

Common Challenges (the two buckets)

Bucket 1: The Undersell

• Past criticism or cultural norms make you equate speaking about strengths with arrogance.

• You default to “team player” or generic traits; your real edge remains hidden.

• Outcome: Missed opportunities—recruiters and leaders can’t see what to bet on.

Bucket 2: The Laundry List

• You present an exhaustive menu of tools, tasks, and traits.

• Without depth, stories blur together; nothing sticks or signals distinctive value.

• Outcome: Diluted brand—you sound impressive yet interchangeable.

The shared problem: lack of focus and depth. Acting on too many “maybes” prevents you from becoming known for the few things that truly move the needle. Research on performance suggests that deliberate, focused practice—not scattered effort—is what strengthens expertise (even as scholars caution against oversimplifying “10,000 hours”). PMCThe New Yorker.

Try This Instead (a simple sequence you control)

A simple sequence you control.

Consider this sequence to help you get the clarity you are looking for:

1. Pause.
   Block 20 quiet minutes. No screens. Acknowledge the urge to compare or overprove—then let it pass. (Deep breaks help reset attention.) Cal Newport

2. Pick 1–2 accomplishments you’re truly proud of.
   Choose outcomes that felt great in both result and process—the work you’d gladly do again.

3. Extract the patterns.
   For each accomplishment, list the dominant skills you used (technical + human). Keep it real and condensed—circle 2–3 strengths that show up repeatedly and feel energizing.

4. Name your signature strengths.
   Write a one-line brand sentence:

   “I’m known for [Strength A] and [Strength B], which I apply to [problem/ audience] to deliver [outcome/metric].”
   This forces clarity and memorability. (See HBR’s strengths work for inspiration.) Harvard Business Review

5. Gather evidence.
   Draft one STAR story per strength (Situation–Task–Action–Result). Emphasize how you worked, not just what happened. Practice out loud until it’s crisp and grounded.

6. Pressure-test and refine.
   Share your brand sentence + stories with two trusted peers/mentors. Ask: “What felt most me? What felt vague?” Tighten accordingly.

7. Commit to depth.
   Choose one deliberate practice you’ll do weekly (e.g., build a mini-project, teach a concept, analyze a case). Depth beats breadth over time. PMCese simple steps you fully control and own the process—even if you can’t control the outcome:

Leadership isn’t about being everything to everyone; it’s about being exceptional at the right few things and bringing them with consistency. As you narrow your focus, your brand sharpens, your confidence grows, and opportunities begin to find you.

Want help narrowing and naming your superpowers?

If this resonates, let’s connect. You can DM me, reply to this newsletter, or book a quick discovery call to shape your signature strengths narrative and evidence—so your expertise is impossible to miss.