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“Leading is about empowering others to unleash their true potential.” Marcus Buckingham
Your team may be sitting on a goldmine of untapped potential. Have you done anything to unearth this potential and use it effectively? A Gallup study revealed that employees who regularly use their strengths are six times more engaged and productive than those who do not, resulting in stronger financial performance for their organizations. Unlocking individual superpowers is not simply a feel-good exercise. It is the differentiator for winning organizations. As leaders, we sometimes think we need to bring in stars from the outside to elevate our team’s performance. But all the while, we may have unused talent, passion, and genius among us waiting to be identified and unleashed. It’s time to shift the focus from what we seem to lack and rigorously search for the superpowers we already have. I’m confident that you may be pleasantly surprised!
Throughout history, many leaders have transitioned from ordinary beginnings to positions of extraordinary influence. The biblical narratives showcase many people who were difference-makers when positioned to operate in their superpowers. Initially uncertain when promoted from shepherd to national leader, Moses’ potential was maximized when he led millions out of slavery. During a financial crisis, Joseph rose from his position of unimportance and used his strategic superpowers to position Egypt as an economic powerhouse and sole supplier. Esther’s elevation from anonymity to queen unleashed her superpowers of selflessness, care, courage, and influence, which she used to safeguard her people from genocide. These timeless examples remind us that discovering and deploying superpowers is the key to transforming teams, organizations, communities, and more. Let’s look at these two proven tips to unlock each of our team members' superpowers and position them to significantly contribute to your organization’s success.
Identify Individual Superpowers
We define “superpower” as a unique talent, strength, or skill that sets an individual apart and contributes to team performance. Some call it the “secret sauce.” Whether acquired or natural, these superpowers develop through life experiences and continuous learning. Discovering and deploying these unique strengths can transform an organization’s culture, skyrocket productivity, and increase organizational effectiveness. As leaders, we can identify and unlock these strengths by conducting strengths-based interviews, assessments, 360-degree feedback, and many other tools. However, I prefer one-on-one sessions with team members to identify their superpowers through thoughtful, meaningful, and targeted questions. I also bring a list of “gaps” that can be filled with their superpowers to address organizational needs that align with strategic goals. This approach has been transformational.
You can identify and unlock your team's hidden superpowers by taking these two steps. First, schedule one-on-one sessions and ask questions like, “What is your superpower?” “Can you share a time when your superpower made a significant impact?” “Where can you use your superpower in our organization to make a difference?” You may find their responses to be pretty revealing but also very encouraging. You can also consider strength-finding tools if you prefer. Second, ensure you have a list of relevant turnkey opportunities to offer to get them going as quickly as possible with few or no barriers. The tasks or roles listed will address organizational challenges that align with strategic goals. This will require some preparation. When done correctly, your team’s engagement will skyrocket, dramatically improving their results. Phil Jackson, the much-celebrated winner of 13 NBA championships, said, “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” Coach Jackson continually tapped into the individual superpowers of his players and achieved sustained team success. You can do the same.
Implement Targeted Training
Developing a team goes beyond skills development. Emphasis is also placed on mission alignment and a commitment to collaboration. All are crucial for organizational effectiveness. A study by MIT Sloan Management Review points out that teams flourish when they have a clear sense of shared purpose, which increases organizational effectiveness by more than 30%. Targeted training will strengthen employee superpowers to help achieve organizational goals and foster that sense of purpose. Let’s say we discover that an employee’s superpower is training and development. We would send them to courses that teach them how to become effective trainers and follow up with coaching to ensure implementation. Microsoft and Apple are committed to honing specific employee skills and competencies through their robust, targeted training infrastructure. Targeted training to strengthen superpowers will elevate your teams’ performance.
After completing the training, provide immediate opportunities for the trainee to apply what they have learned. Then, monitor the results to ensure the training sticks and improves performance outcomes. Lastly, these new skills should be integrated into daily workflows to become role expectations for ongoing use. Support progress with timely and specific feedback. This approach will foster sustained growth that directly contributes to team and organizational success. Psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus’ forgetting curve shows that people forget 70% of new information within 24 hours and up to 90% within a week if not applied. Immediate and routine use of this newly improved superpower will result in remembrance of learning. Develop your team’s superpowers with targeted training for rapid implementation, and you will see operational impact.
Commit to Unlocking Potential
You have to be all in! I challenge you to start viewing your team as a garden. Cultivate it conscientiously and consistently by giving each person the room and resources to grow. They will collectively thrive and deliver remarkable results. Ralph Waldo Emerson noted, "Our chief desire is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be." Identifying individual superpowers and implementing targeted training are the twin engines that will propel organizational excellence. Empower your team through effective delegation. Provide frameworks to cultivate autonomy so that innovation flourishes. Communicate openly, set clear expectations, and offer support systems to identify and release untapped potential. Fostering trust will be the wings that enable your teams to soar to unexpected heights. Lead by example—be the light that illuminates a path to success. Do all you can to create a positive work culture that feels psychologically safe. The time to act is now. As you move forward to unleash the potential of your team members, think about this quote from Inc. Magazine, "Unlocking potential is one of the most important tasks a leader can have, as it yields tangible results and connects individuals' work to the organizational purpose." Commit to unlocking your team’s superpowers. You will inspire and empower them to do great things and deliver extraordinary results.
LeaderLift equips individuals to “Unlock Potential” through assessments, training, coaching, consulting programs, and keynote speaking. Our hands-on approach to leadership development helps participants lift their performance and make a positive and sustained impact within their organizations.
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© 2024 Dr. Clinton Parker III | LeaderLift. All rights reserved.
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