How to discover your superpowers, own your story, and unlock personal growth | Donna Lichaw

The narratives you repeat about yourself (e.g., “I’m too nice,” “no one listens to me,” “I’m an impostor”) directly shape your behavior, relationships, and results—even if they’re not objectively true. Recognizing these as stories, not facts, gives you leverage to rewrite them.

Treat beliefs about yourself as hypotheses and validate them by talking to your “customers” (colleagues, reports, stakeholders). This often reveals that perceived flaws (too nice, too quiet, not respected) are misunderstood strengths or misaligned behaviors that can be adjusted.

Instead of relying only on strength tests, examine moments in childhood and adulthood when you were at your best and most energized. Look across those stories for recurring patterns (e.g., connecting people, solving hard problems, adapting quickly) and name those as your core strengths.

Many “weaknesses” (e.g., dyslexia, deep listening, intense problem-solving, imposter syndrome) are powerful when used in the right dose and context. The work is to understand how they serve you, where they tip into overuse (burnout, overwork, misperception), and how to manage that balance.

Notice which activities give you energy versus drain it (e.g., writing vs. meetings, deep conversations vs. email). Where possible, double down on energy-giving work, delegate or redesign draining tasks, and, if most of your job is depleting you, question whether you’re in the right role.