Superpowers That Prove Quiet Can Be Powerful

Ask someone about their superpower, and you might expect bold, attention-grabbing answers. But when I posed the question to my network, the responses were different: thoughtful, intentional, and often deeply personal. These seven examples show that strength does not have to be loud to be powerful. The way we show up for others usually is our most significant impact.

When I wrote Finding Your Superpower, I thought I was starting a conversation about self-awareness and the unique strengths we bring to our work and relationships. I did not expect my inbox and LinkedIn messages to fill with responses from friends, colleagues, and even people I had never met in person.

The stories I received were not generic “I’m a people person” statements or resume-ready bullet points. They were clear-eyed reflections on the qualities that define how someone leads, connects, and creates change. Many of them were not the skills you would think to mention in an interview – but they were the very things that made each person memorable and indispensable.

Here, in their own approved words, are seven of those superpowers:

Superpower: Connecting people and ideas in ways that create measurable impact.
This talent led to the founding of a successful women-owned strategic consultancy serving commercial and government clients. Under the CEO’s leadership, the firm delivers communications, outreach, training, market research, and insights – all designed to ensure the right content reaches the right audience for maximum impact. That precision fuels the success of clients’ most mission-critical initiatives.

Superpower: Sensing and responding to the unspoken.
What some may see as a weakness – deep sensitivity to emotion and energy – has become one of this corporate communicator's greatest strengths. Being highly attuned to subtle shifts in tone, mood, and body language, often before anything is said, allows her to read the emotional undercurrents in a room, understand what is between the lines, and respond in ways that build trust and connection.

Superpower: Building genuine personal rapport.
Sometimes, a superpower is so natural a fit that it feels inevitable. As the BD Head of a company that provides client feedback services and technology to professional services firms that want to do more with their client listening programs, this strength could not be better matched. The ability to quickly build trust and connection ensures that conversations yield honest insights – turning feedback into actionable strategies for stronger client relationships.

Superpower: Turning “I have no time to plan” into “best trip ever” with VIP access, perfect pacing, and zero stress.
For this luxury travel designer, crafting bespoke itineraries is about far more than booking flights and hotels – it is about creating extraordinary experiences. Whether for discerning individuals, families, or executives, each journey combines insider access, thoughtful pacing, and meticulous attention to detail, allowing every client to enjoy the moment while everything runs seamlessly behind the scenes.

Superpower: Understanding how technology can transform the way we work.
For a technology entrepreneur, it is not just about grasping the potential of emerging tools – from the internet and social media to AI – but about translating that knowledge into practical guidance. By helping others see how to integrate technology into their workflows, he enables business professionals and companies to grow, adapt, and prosper.

Superpower: Leading with empathy and service.
A Chief Marketing Officer for a global law firm brings the rare ability to meet people exactly where they are – without judgment – to create an environment where they can thrive. Her leadership style blends acceptance, generosity, and genuine care, making her a joy to work for and a trusted partner to colleagues at every level. Outside the office, her commitment to community is equally inspiring. As the founder and president of a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those in need, it is not just food, clothing, and supplies that are given to their “guests,” but also dignity. She is a friend to the stranger, whoever they may be – in every sphere of her life, leading with both heart and purpose.

Superpower: Picking up on what matters to people and using humor to bridge the gap.
This growth strategist has a knack for spotting the details that reveal what is truly important, then using just the right moment – and often a quick, well-placed line – to make people feel seen and understood. That blend of observation, timing, and wit builds connection fast, moving conversations forward and turning ideas into action.

The Essential Truths Behind These Superpowers

Reading these seven examples reminded me of three essential truths:

A superpower does not need to be “marketable” to matter. Many of these are not the kinds of skills you would list at the top of a LinkedIn profile. But they are qualities that make people want to work with you, trust you, and recommend you.

Sometimes your superpower is the thing you once thought was a weakness. Sensitivity, humor, or meticulous attention to detail might not have felt like career assets early on – but in the proper context, they become defining strengths.

Your superpower is most potent when it is used for others. In every example here, the strength in question is about creating better outcomes for someone else – a client, a colleague, a team, a community.

If you are wondering about your own, start by asking yourself:

• What do people consistently thank me for?
• What do I do almost effortlessly that others find difficult?
• When have I been most proud of the difference I made for someone else?

Your superpower may be quieter than you think. However, as these seven stories demonstrate, quiet strengths can be the ones that leave the most lasting legacy.

If this article has you thinking about your strengths, you might enjoy my earlier post, Finding Your Superpower. In it, I explore how to recognize what you do best – even when it is not apparent to you – and why leaning into that strength can change the way you work, lead, and connect. You can read it here.