Hmm. In high school, more than thirty years ago, I was a good student, decent in sports (tennis, soccer, and basketball), and reasonably well-rounded. Jack of all trades, probably master of none. Today, I’m a proficient writer, decent soccer player, competent hiker, etc. I am also a father, son, grandson, legal professional, community member, volunteer, etc. All of this has been satisfying, but regrettably does little to answer the question above.
What makes you unique? What is your passion? These, too, are popular questions, on college applications, during job interviews, etc. My grandfather practiced medicine for more than fifty years, first in the former U.S.S.R., then in California. Today, at 92, he still answers questions from his former patients, who value his sage advice and continuing passion for medicine. His uniqueness and passion are clear.
In hyper-competitive, winner-take-all environments, where differentiation is critical, a superpower, it seems, is necessary, but not sufficient, to make an impression and to rise above the crowd. That said, can, and should, being truly well-rounded be considered a superpower? Is being “you” not enough or do we all need superpowers? Or, is this just a clever way to make you think a little more about your unique capabilities and/or how you might positively impact your organization?
I would posit that our collective aperture is too narrow. A more holistic view is in order.
Bremer SV is a professional soccer club in the Baden-Wurttemberg league, in the fifth tier of the German soccer league system. Bayern Munich is the top team of the Bundesliga, the top tier. A more lopsided match in the first round of the DFB-Pokal tournament could hardly have been imagined. Unsurprisingly, Bayern pummeled Bremer, 12-0. It was 5-0 after about thirty minutes; then, as the final score attests, it got progressively worse. In youth leagues in the United States, there is the “mercy” rule, where one team cannot lead another team by more than six goals, without incurring a penalty. As a coach, I have been on both sides of this. If you’re ahead, you instruct the kids to pass the ball a lot. If you’re behind, you tell the kids to keep trying. The players on the Bremer squad are professionals; even at my peak (and a tall one it was not), I could not hope to keep up with them. Their superpower is soccer, and I am sure that at least a few of them could play on the Bayern squad, but, compared to the superpowers of the Bayern players, the superpowers of the Bremer players were no match. It’s all relative. A broader aperture is necessary.
Be assured that I am not proposing or promoting mediocrity. To the contrary, strive for excellence. Plan. Prepare. Implement. Create and refine your personal mission statement. Fine tune your elevation pitch and/or value proposition. Perfect your craft. Cultivate your garden. Keep working the hill. Recharge. Read a good book. The Innovators (Isaacson) is excellent, so far. Binge watch Below Deck Med, if it helps to disconnect momentarily from the fires, floods, hurricanes, humanitarian crises, pandemic, etc. of the past week, before getting back to work. Just don’t get stuck or hung up on your “superpower,” unless you have concluded, probably correctly, that the sum is greater than any individual part and that getting through and continuing to make progress during these precarious times is your superpower.
Comments welcome.
The Peninsula Hiking Club 