As a self-confessed Marvel geek, I love seeing the transformation of ‘ordinary Joe/Jo’ into superhero and I believe that while we can’t all scale buildings and win intergalactic battles, we do all have a unique leadership superpower – some capacity, skill or quality that sets us apart and elevates organizational performance. However, unlocking our true heroic potential requires looking inward first and a great place to start is by analyzing our impact patterns.
Impact patterns are the recurring ways in which leaders influence and shape the behavior, performance, and outcomes of their teams and organizations. These patterns emerge from our consistent actions, decisions, and interactions over time.
Here are seven common impact patterns in leadership:
- Communication patterns
The way leaders communicate, such as their transparency, clarity, frequency, and responsiveness, sets the tone for how information flows throughout the organization and how teams interact with each other.
- Decision-making patterns
The consistency and inclusiveness of a leader’s decision-making process, as well as the types of factors they prioritize (e.g. data, values, stakeholder input), influence how teams approach problem-solving and take ownership of outcomes.
- Feedback and recognition patterns
The manner and regularity with which leaders provide feedback, both positive and constructive, shapes team members’ sense of motivation, psychological safety, and willingness to take risks and improve.
- Emotional contagion patterns
Leaders’ visible emotional states and reactions to stress and adversity have a significant impact on team morale, resilience, and the overall emotional climate of the organization.
- Collaboration and conflict resolution patterns
How leaders model and facilitate teamwork, healthy debate, and the resolution of disagreements sets the standard for how colleagues interact and work together towards shared goals.
- Change management patterns
Leaders’ approach to navigating change, including their vision, adaptability, and ability to mobilize others, determines how effectively teams embrace and sustain transformations.
- Accountability and integrity patterns
The consistency with which leaders follow through on commitments, take responsibility for missteps, and align their actions with stated values shapes the organization’s culture of trust and adherence to ethical standards.
By examining these impact patterns over time, leaders can see the cumulative impact of their influence, make any course corrections and zero in on that superpower! It’s not just about grand visions and strategies (although they’re great too), but also the cumulative impact of small, daily behaviors and choices.
By reflecting deeply on motivations, analyzing impact patterns, and tuning into feedback from others, we can unravel our special gifts as leaders. These powers often manifest from places of personal passion and vulnerability.
What Kind of Leadership Superhero Are You?
Leadership superpowers come in many forms but generally fall into a few categories like:
The Visionary – Paints inspirational pictures of future possibility that motivates teams through purpose.
The Connector – Brings people together through empathy that bridges differences and fosters belonging.
The Talent Magnet – Identifies and nurtures high potential in others. Attracts and develops rising stars by providing platforms to shine.
The Culture Architect – Intuits and reinforces subtle culture norms, behaviors and environments that contribute to organization-wide excellence.
Recognizing your primary gift is merely the first step. Effective leaders translate self-awareness into consistent impact by:
✔️ Leaning into strengths – Make superpowers central to your leadership approach despite outside pressures to conform. Authenticity and conviction convey credibility.
✔️ Spotting applications – Look for new problems and opportunities where applying your strengths could uniquely make a difference.
✔️ Aligning with purpose – Ensure your leadership identity directly ladders up to broader organizational goals so efforts feel focused rather than self-serving.
By identifying and continually nurturing personal leadership superpowers – while knowing when to pause them – we amplify our results and lift our teams to heroic heights. So take time for inner searching and gather courage to lead from your deepest place of truth. The world needs your unique input! What are your patterns and what do they tell you about your superpower?
P.S Don’t forget to rest and recharge your powers. Life Is Not a Juggle; It’s a Balance – A lesson I had to learn the hard way so you don’t have to!
