Super Relationships (and Kryptonite)

My newest workshop is called “Channeling Your Inner Superhero.”

I debuted it last month at BIA/Kelsey ENGAGE in Austin. As Publisher of sheBOOM, I was there to inspire and empower other women. I led a group of professionals in identifying their superpowers (and their Kryptonites) and we assumed our best supergirl stances.

Supergirl had a tough time. Although I’ve read lots of versions of where she came from, this is my favorite tale (from Yahoo Answers):

“When Krypton exploded, she was sent in a rocket (in suspended animation) to find and look after Superman. However, her rocket got caught in a huge chunk of the planet and she arrived on Earth years after her cousin did. Meanwhile, she was put in suspended animation, so while chronologically born before Kal-El, she is still the age of a teenager. Her arrival is discovered by Batman, who initially doubted that she was really Kryptonian, thinking that it was too much of a coincidence. Eventually Kara is discovered by her cousin Superman and combat trained by Wonder Woman and Artemis.”

Wow! That’s some wild journey! (And I have to chuckle that Supergirl’s first mission was a babysitting gig.)

We all have our own real-life versions of that comic book tale. We may think we’re heading out on some great adventure or mission, only to be hit by a planet and re-directed. The Wonder Women we meet can help us find our strength and purpose, but we’re all born with unique inner super powers.

In business, we have lots of relationships — with clients, lenders/funders, team members, colleagues, salespeople, manufacturers, and service providers.

But think about the connections that exist in your head and heart. We also have relationships with money and technology (some of them dating back to childhood) that have an impact on our decision-making, risk-taking, and creative processes. Our most important relationship is the one we have with our thoughts and talents. Our Kryptonites can sometimes be self-doubt or trusting the wrong people. (One of my upcoming blogs is going to deal exclusively with trust.)

Knowing how and when to use our superpowers is also key. Sometimes we try to fly, when the situation really just required a little x-ray vision (looking inward as well as outward).

As you move forward in your business ventures, go through this Super Exercise:

1. What superpowers (i.e., skills and talents) have you had since childhood that can be channeled into building or transforming your business? (For example, I have always been a writer. I’m now able to apply that skill into Content Marketing for a variety of companies). Play to your strengths. You can always team-up with other superheros to fill the gaps. (See #3.) Or train yourself to build up those powers.
2. What’s/who’s your Kryptonite? Do you allow criticism or toxic relationships at work to slow you down or derail your efforts? Keep away from poison at all times. And, if you happen to encounter it, run away or throw it far into space.
3. Who’s in your justice league? They don’t have to be other superheros. Superman was able to find out what was going on in the world as a result of Clark Kent’s job at the Daily Planet. One of my favorite TV shows used to be Heroes, which was all about everyday people (most of whom were tortured souls) who discovered they had incredible complementary powers. (The first few episodes were great, but then the show totally jumped the shark and became a little too cosmic.)

Like comic book heroes, we all have our alter egos. In fact, Supergirl was a media intern. Just goes to show that writers may be the REAL superheroes of the future!

So, get your cape out of the dry cleaner this week and let’s save the world (or at least a little piece of it)!

• Identifying your career superpowers.
• Hire a team to cover your weaknesses.
• Super hook-ups (superhero couples)
• The science behind Kryptonite (and why a little of it isn’t a bad thing).
• Why does Supergirl have to fight crime half naked?
• And why Superman wears his underwear on the outside.