Higher Purpose Podcast Episode 83: The 7 Simple Superpowers of the HumansFirst Heroes
Today, we’re talking superpowers. We’re midstream in a series of conversations on what it means to live, love, and lead in a HumansFirst kind of way, and for this special solo episode, I want to talk to you about some important simple skills. Now, don’t confuse simple for easy. These skills require us to put someone else ahead of ourselves, which is difficult, and doesn’t come naturally to many of us. I call them: The 7 Simple Superpowers of the HumansFirst Heroes.
X-Ray Vision
This superpower means you’re able to see a person for who they truly are. This has three dimensions:
Seeing beyond the veneer and layers and the mask people put up around themselves.
Seeing into their heart and seeing the real beauty, value, and worth of the individual in front of you — which makes them feel accepted and valued for having been seen.
Seeing into the future, and seeing what this person is capable of becoming and what they’re capable of accomplishing.
Extraordinary Strength
This is the strength it takes to lift your team or organization to extraordinary achievement. These heroes believe in the power of community, and they have the uncanny ability of allowing different people from all around the world to see their part in this bigger vision, and invest their blood, sweat, and tears into making it a reality.
Supernatural Hearing
This is the ability to listen deeply. They value what you have to say more than what they have to say. Here are the three quotes I’ve gathered on listening:
“Many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request.” — Lord Chesterfield
“When people realize they’re being listened to, they tell you things.” — Richard Ford
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” — Stephen R. Covey
The first thing that we have to do is quiet the conversation that's already going on in our minds. Pause, breathe, and make it your intention to listen to the person in front of you.
Claircognizance
This is the amazing ability to gain information through intrinsic means. People with this superpower are able to pull out of themselves or others:
- things that they didn’t even know were there
- things they didn’t realize they were capable of doing
- a person they didn’t realize they were capable of becoming
They do this through asking questions that help cut through the clutter in your mind and your heart, draw you in, and engage you in a way you wouldn’t otherwise engage. They may already see something in you that you don’t yet see, and the gift of the claircognizant is getting you to see this possibility for yourself.
Web Weaving
This ability talks about relational webs: the ability to see people and connect with them. And it’s not just one-on-one. This superpower includes the ability to connect people to other people, whether inside or outside your organization.
Time Suspension
HumansFirst Heroes have an uncanny ability to be present in the moment. They recognize the power in the little things, see the opportunities in the mundane, and are able to stop time and create magic in that moment.
Super-sized Hearts and Enhanced Empathy
HumansFirst Heroes have a heart that oozes love, compassion, and compassionate care. When you interact with one of these heroes, you realize they genuinely care for you — no pretending here. They just operate with high levels of empathy and allow people to feel loved.
What would you add to the list?
This is far from a complete list, and I invite you to help me grow it. Who’s a HumansFirst hero in your work or world? And what’s their superpower? Email me at kevin@higherpurposepodcast.com or call me at (678) 744 5111.
Wanting to grow as a HumansFirst leader and connect in meaningful conversations with other HumansFirst leaders?
Join me for HumansFirst Book Club where we do a deep dive into a book a month and often engage the authors in conversation.
Past HumansFirst Episodes
Higher Purpose Podcast Episode 82: Being a Chief Heart Officer with Claude Silver
Higher Purpose Podcast Episode 81: The Future of Work with Dr. Heather Hanson Wickman
Higher Purpose Podcast Episode 80: Making Work More Human with Renée Smith
Higher Purpose Podcast Episode 78: Creating a ‘Humans First’ Workplace with Marcel Schwantes
Higher Purpose Podcast Episode 77: Putting Humans First with Mike Vacanti
Higher Purpose Podcast Episode 50: Make Work More Human with Renee Smith
Other Resources
Higher Purpose Podcast Episode 69: The Epic Partnership that Created the WD-40 Culture with Garry Ridge and Stan Sewitch
Deep Listening: Impact Beyond Words (Amazon)
Higher Purpose Podcast Episode 57: Becoming a Deep Listener with Oscar Trimboli
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact (Amazon)