Lenny's PodcastHow to discover your superpowers, own your story, and unlock personal growth | Donna Lichaw
At a glance
WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT
Rewrite your personal story to unlock leadership superpowers and growth
- Executive coach and author Donna Lichaw explains how the stories we tell ourselves shape our leadership effectiveness, confidence, and career trajectory. She argues that the most powerful form of storytelling isn’t what we present externally, but the internal narrative that defines whether we see ourselves as heroes or imposters. By identifying superpowers, understanding kryptonite, and running small “experiments” on ourselves (borrowed from product thinking), we can reshape those stories and create more intentional careers and lives. The conversation is rich with concrete client examples, practical exercises, and parallels between product development frameworks and personal development.
IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING
5 ideasYour internal story is more powerful than your external storytelling.
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.
Use data and feedback to test your self-story like a product hypothesis.
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.
Mine your past peak experiences to uncover your real superpowers.
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.
Superpowers and kryptonite sit on the same spectrum.
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.
Design your work around energy, not just responsibility.
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.
WORDS WORTH SAVING
5 quotesThe most effective stories are the ones that we tell ourselves. They may or may not be true, our brain doesn't know the difference.
— Donna Lichaw
When superheroes discover what their superpowers actually are, they wreak havoc and they make a mess. It's uncomfortable.
— Donna Lichaw
It's a waste of energy to fix what's broken. When you can amplify your strengths, you have a much bigger impact.
— Donna Lichaw
Certain stories we tell ourselves are actually quite functional and do not necessarily need to be rewritten. Imposter syndrome can be one of those.
— Donna Lichaw
Find out who you are and do it on purpose.
— Dolly Parton (quoted by Donna Lichaw)
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