I’ve spent much of my life on autopilot, barreling forward—until one day, I looked up and thought: Wait, am I even on the right train? Am I leveraging my true superpower, or am I just coasting on some mediocre “bleh” journey?

What if there’s a more fulfilling track?

What if we all have hidden superpowers—lurking beneath our startup hoodies and executive titles—that could be our ticket to something greater? The real question is: Do we trust ourselves enough to jump trains?

Career reinvention isn’t just for the bold. It’s for anyone willing to see themselves differently. And the fastest way to do that? Ask others for reassurance.

I know. Deep breaths. Don’t cringe.

The Accidental Therapy Hike

Last week, while hiking with my dog, I got a call from my friend Nora, an executive advisor who’s worked with H&M’s top brass. Mid-conversation, she dropped a truth bomb:

👉 We don’t realize what we’re truly capable of—until we ask others how they see us.

Well, darn. Is that how we unlock our real strengths? How much of our potential is hiding from us, yet so obvious to others?

Simply because we don’t ask—or are too afraid to believe?

The Three Versions of You

Our capabilities aren’t just what we think we know. They’re a mix of:

1️⃣ True Self – Your natural strengths, forged through experience.

2️⃣ False Self – The stories you tell yourself when fear creeps in. (Spoiler alert: This one lies. A lot.)

3️⃣ Others’ Perception – How people see you… and quite possibly, the biggest opportunity you’ve been ignoring.

Because this—others’ perception—is a goldmine. A hidden treasure chest of insights that can refine your strengths, expose your blind spots, and reveal your actual superpower.

The Clues Are in the Compliments

We do this weird thing where we deflect praise.

“Oh, that? No big deal.”

But… what if it is a big deal?

What if the thing that feels effortless to you is exactly what you should be doubling down on?

At IDEO and Gap Inc I adapted a method for feedback. It’s ridiculously straightforward:

💡 What’s my one superpower?

⚠️ Do I have an  Achilles’ heel?

❌ What should I stop doing?

✅ What should I do more of?

I’d ask at least six people—two senior to me, two peers, and two direct reports. The goal? A reality check.

And while knowing weaknesses is useful, don’t fixate on them. The world isn’t. It’s watching your strengths.

Just ask Tiger Woods. He didn’t train by fixing everything—he perfected what made him unstoppable. Same with Serena Williams’ serve, Usain Bolt’s stride, Steph Curry’s three-point shot.

Athletes have a signature move. Brands have taglines.

What’s yours?

Your Superpower Is Already There

Your superpower is what others see in you before you do. The thing so effortless for you that you assume everyone can do it. (They can’t.)

For a simpler performance review questionnaire, just ask six people:

🟡 What would you hire me for in a heartbeat?

🟡 Is there something I undervalue in myself?

🟡 What do you miss about working with me?

Then—don’t just hear it. Believe it.

Monetize What Comes Easy

Success doesn’t always mean grinding harder. Sometimes, it means doubling down on what people already trust you for.

Once you believe in your superpower, you might pivot your role at work. Start a coaching business. Foster a hobby like slam poetry. Or jump on an entirely different life train.

When you fully step into your strengths, the world doesn’t just notice. It rewards you.

I never thought people would pay me to craft stories…but they do! Whether it’s on a stage or in a marketing brief I can get paid for doing what I love. And people will also pay YOU for your superpower.

But first you have to rally your supporters and believe in yourself. Are you ready?

Originally appeared in Linkedin here.  Follow me on Linkedin