It took Superman until his teenage years to discover his superpowers , but many of us take much longer to find our own , if we ever do at all . Yet identifying a superpower -- that core strength that gives an edge in the workplace , be it creativity , vision or an analytical mind -- can be the key to taking a career to the next level . `` I am a full believer that the first thing you do in a leadership role is to identify your own strengths and play to them , '' says Sheryl G Feinstein , co-author of `` The Brain and Strengths Based School Leadership . '' `` I think too often one of the difficulties leaders have is they try to be everything to everyone , which creates kind of a patchwork of leadership which is counterproductive , '' she adds . `` They spend so much of their time overcompensating for their weaknesses that they do n't really play to their strengths . '' Research suggests that leaders who identify their core strengths , and play to them , are more satisfied in their work and better paid , she says . Read more : Is your boss a psycho ? A superpower , explains Corinne Mills , managing director of Personal Career Management and author of `` Career Coach , '' is the personal `` Unique Selling Proposition '' which gives you value in the corporate environment . Identifying it could help you sell yourself within your organization -- and to others . But how do you identify your superpower ? While a little self-knowledge can go a long way , it is common for executives to be in the dark as to their own strengths and weaknesses . `` It 's very difficult to be objective about your own strengths , '' says Mills . `` Most people have a particular strength , but quite often because it 's something they enjoy doing , perhaps more of a natural ability , it feels easy and therefore they think everyone can do it . '' A good way to find out is to ask ex-colleagues or ex-managers `` whose opinion you trust and who will be honest , '' she says . `` They will give you objective feedback , and the things you often take for granted , other people will see very clearly . '' Guy Longshaw , an executive coach and management consultant , recommends strengths tests drawn from `` positive psychology , '' a movement whose founders sought to `` find and nurture genius and talent '' by encouraging people to identify their strengths and play to them . Read more : Six tips for better brainstorming . Highly successful people have the knack of finding `` new and innovative ways to challenge themselves in those areas , '' he says , thereby staying motivated and interested in their careers . Feinstein says that simple self-reflection could also do the trick . `` Maybe after you 've led a meeting you reflect on what your strengths and weaknesses were . It 's amazing with these computerized programs how they often just end up validating things that deep down people already know about themselves . '' Sean McPheat , managing director of MTD Training , says the old conventional wisdom about strengths and vulnerabilities no longer applies . `` People used to say 'Work on your strengths , develop your weaknesses . ' But forget developing your weaknesses . A 2 % improvement in your strengths is going to be better than a 2 % improvement in your weaknesses . '' Longshaw adds : `` That 's not to say ignore your weaknesses -- know what they are , but time and effort trying to get better at your weaknesses is far less well spent . '' Rather than spending too much time trying to overcome your failings , the best way to shore up up your weaknesses could be to assemble a team of people with the attributes you lack . `` Perhaps you have strengths in organization but are weaker when it comes to vision , to building relationships , '' says Feinstein . `` With the right balance , you can play to your own strengths and let your team play to theirs . ''
Knowing your strengths -- and playing to them -- is the key to effective leadership . Your `` superpower '' is your USP to sell yourself in your career path . You can be a great leader by being an excellent communicator, or you can be a good one if you are able to communicate effectively with others. Shore up weaknesses by building a team with the attributes you lack .