What Is Your Corporate Superpower?
It seems like every day I hear about a new technology company with seemingly supernatural powers. How else do you account for the ability to grow millions of loyal users in a number of months? To change the way we communicate and interact with one another?
Apple, Google, and others have shifted human culture forever. So many organizations are looking to duplicate their efforts and disrupt the status quo. But that all begins with powerful leaders who have created an expansive corporate culture that encourages authenticity, curiosity, and creativity — the ingredients for becoming a super-powered company.
Creating a culture
What’s the culture YOU most want to be in? Are you emanating those qualities yourself? If not, there is a way to shift. It is up to you.
Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, and are not necessarily defined by the initials in their titles. CEO, CFO…whoever is looked up to for guidance plays a big part in setting the tone for the organization. If you are a leader, it is vital that you emanate the qualities, energy and presence you wish to see. People are watching. You are contagious.
Employees (everyone from janitor to mid-level manager and beyond) –you’re not off the hook. You have a role here as well. The culture that unfolds is highly due to you. How you show up, what you say, how you behave, you’re creating your culture baby! You are a contribution. Are you contributing to it in a way that makes you proud to be there? Are you contributing to it in a way that fits your dream?
If there are disparities in the culture you want, and the culture you have, no problem. Identify the gaps and discuss them. Listen to feedback from a place of curiosity and always assume good. Then make agreements, establish values, and enroll the entire team.
No matter who you are and the culture you’re creating (intentionally or not), here are 4 counter-intuitive ways to tap into your corporate superpower and build a world-shifting culture:
1) Be Present, playful and grateful.
Everywhere you go, there is such a focus on innovation and creativity these days. Ever notice that the harder you try to be creative, the harder it becomes? Instead… play, be present, be grateful. One of my favorite activities for increasing creativity? Expressing gratitude. Find 3 things you’re truly grateful for, name them, put your attention on gratitude, and watch as different parts of your creative body release and open up. Do this with your team as there are multiple levels of benefits here.
2) Compete to be the highest vibration in the room.
The lowest vibration in the room will easily win, if you let it. You know that guy at the meeting – arms crossed, energy tanking, it’s a bummer just having him in the room. He’s the lowest vibration. And if you’re not intentional about it, before you know it, your head will hurt, your outlook will dim, your brain will fog. Low vibrations are powerful.
This is where YOU come in. Hold your space. Hold your state. You can’t change him, but you can certainly invite him, energetically, to step into a higher plane. And you can provide the rest of your team a “light space” to connect with as well. It won’t always work – but compete for it. Stay solid. Stay happy.
3) Be solid in your mind and body.
Have you ever seen a superhero who had trouble climbing a few flights of stairs? When was the last time you saw Superman eat twizzlers all day and drink four cups of coffee before lunch? You are only as powerful as your self-care will allow. Your intention to show up with positive energetic presence must be matched by a mind, body, and spirit that is ready for the challenge. So eat healthy, exercise, sleep well, and take breaks. Then watch your powers grow.
4) Be guarded and Lie. A lot.
What??? Clearly I’m now off the reservation. I’m kidding a tad, but not really. Being guarded, intentionally, has its superpower elements. When you come across that organization, employee, or client who’s just simply committed to misery and struggle and whatever other draining energetic field they’re in…despite your magic and ability to hold your state and to intend for great things to happen, sometimes you’re going to get sucked in.
It’s a dance. And in this dance, you will need “facility with your guard” so as not to get sucked into it. (“Facility” meaning – you can access it as needed.) Guard looks like this: I have my space (I call it my energetic bubble), and as long as I’m grounded and clear in my space (self-care impacts this significantly), I can hold it better and with more intention. I may be in the midst of a swirl of negativity, but I can hold that space. And if I can’t, my awareness and ability to recover is lightning fast.
The better care you take of yourself, the clearer your energetic field. The clearer you are on your stance and who you are, the easier this becomes. For you, adopt whatever of this serves you and hold your space. The minute you sense negativity or that pull of the energetic drain, intend your space. And even better, intend your space before you even walk in the office every morning.
Your intense presence, high vibrational state, physical and mental strength, and energetic bubble are indeed super powers. You can optimize your individual contribution to the greater culture in your organization by accessing the best qualities in yourself.
Every moment at work, you are either showing up with intentional presence or on auto-pilot. How you show up energetically matters — the way you think and feel, hold your posture, or broadcast a facial expression. They are all ways in which you can transform the way you show up, your corporate culture, and your impact on the world.
All that and you don’t even need a clever superhero catch phrase.
Anese Cavanaugh is the creator of the IEP Method (Intentional Energetic Presence) as well as a leadership & collaboration advisor, strategist, and thinking partner for business leaders in the design, service and innovation spaces. Through her speaking, writing and creative leadership programs, people learn how to optimize their leadership and presence, bringing their best selves to the table for greater collaboration, impact, and cultural success. Follow her @ anesecavanaugh.com.
