The Iceberg of Success: How to Harness Hidden Strengths for Career Success

The Iceberg of Success…

Take a moment and reflect on your childhood.

What brought you joy? What did you enjoy doing without input from others? What did you do that impacted others? What were you good at that was never acknowledged, yet you surpassed expectations? (This skill/knowledge gave you confidence and made you feel good about yourself despite other people.)

We often dismiss feelings and experiences in childhood as being just childhood experiences. I think what we sometimes forget is our childhood experiences help define who we are.

Be they real or imaginary, the knowledge, foresight, and planning we do as children can be translated into real-life skills.

Were there times when you felt invincible? Like a superhero? If so, what was your superpower? Was it people? Objects? Why?

Going back to the superhero in you, what was your superpower with people? Did you relocate them from a dangerous situation to a point of safety? (Planning) What was the process going on in your mind? (Problem solving) Did you make everyone feel secure and safe? How did you feel? (Leadership)

Were you able to move objects with your mind? Were you able to see the intricate details involved in performing this feat? Were you the kid that wanted to be a magician, practicing ‘sleight of hand’ movements? (Abstract to concrete)

On the other hand, what would your superpower be if you were to identify one? I think we sometimes have an affinity or attraction to that which is most like us. Perhaps that superpower you’d like to possess represents latent skills you possess yet have not been able to use. What are those skills that would enable you to use your superpower? If they can be identified, they can be developed.

What people see above the iceberg is a very minute representation of who we truly are. Sometimes we are stronger and braver as children. We learn to adapt to be acceptable to others as adults. If we revisit the times in our lives when lessons were learned, we can use knowledge from the lessons to move forward as adults. Sometimes the most impacting lessons have been hard lessons. The greater the impact, the greater the lesson to be learned. Utilize the knowledge, find the superpower of your childhood, and convert it into your superpower as an adult.