Sharing and Using SuperPowers and Kryptonite
Four years ago, StarFishers embarked on a SuperPowers journey to foster a culture where people are inspired and able to do the most fulfilling work of their lives and learn how to use them to be their best.
At our July 2021 All-Hands meeting, we asked for volunteers willing to be the first to take a SuperPowers Discovery session. A cross-functional team developed the program that our employees can go through to help them identify their SuperPowers. We define a SuperPower as an exceptional trait or talent that an individual enjoys contributing, to create a positive impact.
The Process
Participants spend 30 minutes before a 90-minute group discovery session completing prework which includes taking a personal assessment, using an app (SuperPowers is a tool SYPartners developed to help teams identify individual strengths—and the corresponding shadow side), reading a blog, and then asking questions of others. It turns out we can’t always recognize our own SuperPowers. Others often have to tell us what we are really great at.
The discovery sessions allow participants to discuss their prework in breakout groups and arrive at a preliminary list of their personal SuperPowers. We recommend that participants speak with their managers about their Superpowers and explore how they can be applied to more of their day-to-day work. Once the Superpowers are finalized, we publish them in a list so everyone in the company can see what participants enjoy contributing.
Addressing Kryptonite
In 2022 we reconvened the committee to develop a complementary Kryptonite program. The committee had a lot of trouble coming up with a definition for Kryptonite. It turns out that only you know “it” when you feel “it”. In other words, contrary to the SuperPowers, you are the only one who can identify your Kryptonite. It’s anything that drains your battery.
Kryptonite are the things that you want less of. In an age of high burnout, it is extremely helpful to know what drains you in order to spend as little time as possible doing those things.
The Kryptonite discovery session format is similar to the SuperPowers session. Participants complete 30 minutes of prework which includes looking at your MBTI stress heads, reading a blog and some self-reflection.
During the 90-minute discovery sessions participants discuss their Kryptonite prework in breakout groups and identify their preliminary list of Kryptonite. We recommend participants share their Kryptonite with their work teams, so colleagues know what drains them. We also suggest they look for someone with SuperPowers that can help with their Kryptonite tasks.
Sharing and Using SuperPowers and Kryptonite
As an engineering design and development consultancy we already had lego bricks in our culture. To build on that tradition, we created the SuperPowers lego stack. The stack has a caped Superhero figure on top, SuperPowers are listed on one side of the brick stack and Kryptonite are listed on the opposite side. (You can’t have one without the other.)
Our most common SuperPowers include Creativity, Problem Solver, Systems Thinking, Complexity Busting, and Pioneer. Other favourites are more unique — like Puzzle Wizard, Bug Bloodhound, Calm in a Crisis, X-ray Vision and Never Give Up.
Common StarFish Kryptonite include disorganization, indecision, routine, and lack of information. I can also identify with those few people who list feeling undervalued, time wasters, and finishing that last 5%.
After we ran the first Discovery session, an employee reached out to say they realized they were in the wrong role. They had SuperPowers of energy and connector but worked alone in a lab. After understanding their SuperPowers, they found a more suitable role at the company in project management.
We use SuperPowers and Kryptonite in team building. For example, at the beginning of a quarterly People & Culture team meeting a couple of years ago, we took turns telling each other how a person’s use of SuperPowers had contributed in a meaningful way to each team member. The team still remembers hearing how their Superpowers made an amazing difference for their teammates.
We often pair people up with complementary SuperPowers and Kryptonite so one plus one equals three, or five, or even ten. People who find others that love doing something they hate are so appreciative of the partnership. It is a win-win for both.
Our SuperPowers and Kryptonite program will continue to develop over time, but its purpose of fostering a culture where people are inspired and able to do the most fulfilling work of their lives will never change. What better way to do that than by using our Superpowers?
Pamela Potts is the Senior Vice President of People and Culture at StarFish Medical. She leads our HR team and oversees all people processes and StarFish award winning culture. “We give people the opportunity to do the best work of their lives” is not just a saying to her. She focuses on ensuring that all employees at StarFish are able to perform at their best. Pamela transitioned into HR from accounting and is a former CPA. She is an ICF-certified coach and SPHR. Her entrance into HR was through training and she has been part of or led HR teams for over 15 years.
Images: StarFish Medical