What’s Your Superpower?

Recently, I was in a group discussion and the facilitator asked what seemed like a simple question:

“What’s your superpower?”

And suddenly, you could practically hear the collective internal panic.

No capes. No confidence. No one leaping tall buildings in a single bound.

Just a room full of capable humans suddenly acting like we’d been asked to solve a math equation on a whiteboard, which, for the record, would be my personal nightmare.

It was like we needed the question in advance. We needed time to prepare, reflect, journal, ask three friends, take a strengths assessment, and maybe sleep on it.

Or maybe some people did know their answer, but felt shy saying it out loud. Because let’s be honest, many of us are much better at downplaying our strengths than naming them.

The pressure kicked in. When someone asks your superpower, it suddenly feels like your answer needs to be impressive. Big. Polished. Maybe even a little heroic.

But it got me thinking.

Why may we not know this about ourselves? Or why aren’t we shouting it from the rooftops? Because we should.

Knowing our superpower helps us understand what drives us, what energizes us, what creates success, and what allows us to contribute in a meaningful way.

I bet if you asked a child what their superpower was, they would answer right away.

They wouldn’t overthink it. They wouldn’t worry if it sounded professional enough. They wouldn’t spiral into imposter syndrome. They would probably say something like flying, invisibility, x-ray vision, talking to animals, or being able to shoot rainbows from their hands.

And even if it wasn’t “real,” it would reveal their imagination, creativity, sense of fun, and freedom to see possibility.

Kids are not usually trying to edit themselves into something acceptable. They are still close to their imagination. They can play with who they are and what they love.

Somewhere along the way, many of us lose that. We start measuring ourselves against expectations, roles, titles, achievements, and what we think sounds impressive.

Our superpower doesn’t have to be supernatural. Maybe it is something much more human.

In positive psychology, we often talk about strengths. The VIA Character Strengths framework identifies 24 universal character strengths, including curiosity, kindness, humour, hope, gratitude, creativity, leadership, perspective, and love of learning. Research suggests that when people know and intentionally use their signature strengths, they tend to experience greater well-being, meaning, engagement, and life satisfaction. Try the free survey!

In other words, your superpower may not be separate from your strengths. It may be your strengths in action.

It might be your ability to bring calm into a chaotic room.
It might be how hopeful you are or curious.
It might be your humour, honesty, patience, creativity, or capacity to listen.
It might be your social intelligence, or prudence.

It might even be the thing you thought was “too much” about you, but when used with awareness, becomes one of your greatest gifts.

When people talk about their superpowers, they often name qualities that sound ordinary: empathy, resilience, curiosity, determination, listening, showing up, staying calm, being honest, making people laugh.

Maybe our superpowers are not always rare, dramatic talents. Maybe they are everyday human capacities that become powerful because of how we uniquely use them.

A superpower is not just something you are good at. It is something that feels natural to you, gives you energy, and creates a positive impact around you.

And because it comes naturally, it can be hard to see. You might assume everyone can do it.

But they can’t. Not in the same way you do. Your superpower may be so familiar to you that you overlook it. But other people probably see it clearly.

So, how do you figure it out?

Ask someone who knows you well.

What do you think comes naturally to me?
When have you seen me at my best?
What do I do that seems easy for me, but valuable to others?
What energy do I bring into a room?

Often, people see what we’re great at before we do. You’ll start to notice patterns. You’ll hear what stands out. You may even hear things you have dismissed, downplayed, or never fully claimed.

Pay attention to energy.

What gives you energy, even when it takes effort?
What lights you up?
What do you lose track of time doing? 
What do you love learning about, talking about, creating, solving, or sharing?
Where do you feel most like yourself?

Notice what people come to you for.

What kind of advice, support, ideas, or energy do they seek from you?
When do you seem to readily come to mind?

Often your superpower is hiding in plain sight, disguised as something that feels completely normal to you.

Look for the moments of impact.

What problems do you naturally help solve?
What changes when you get involved?
What do people appreciate about your presence or contribution?
When have you made a situation better without overthinking it?

Sometimes your superpower is revealed by the difference you make. Not always in big, dramatic ways, but in moments where your presence, perspective, or way of being changes the energy, outcome, or experience for the better.

And it does not have to be perfect. You don’t have to use it all the time. The goal is to know it well enough to use it with intention.

Because when you know your superpower, you stop waiting for permission to be who you already are. You understand where you thrive, how you contribute, and how to show up with more confidence and purpose.

So, What’s your superpower?

Mine is laughter.

Not just making people laugh, although I do love that. But using laughter to lighten a room, bring positive energy, create connection, soften hard moments, and remind people they are allowed to be human.