Three Simple Superpowers That Will Accelerate Your Career
Small changes. Big impact.
Hey, Prasad here 👋 I’m the voice behind the weekly newsletter “Big Tech Careers.”
In this week’s article, I share how you can develop simple superpowers help you grow your careers faster
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The people who advance fastest aren’t always the smartest or most experienced. They’re the ones who’ve mastered a few simple behaviors that make them indispensable.
Let me share three superpowers you can develop starting today.
Superpower #1: Turn “I Don’t Know” Into “I’ll Find Out”
Here’s a situation that happens every day in workplaces:
Manager: “Do you know how to do X?”
Most people respond in one of three ways:
Response 1: “Sorry, I don’t. I haven’t worked on it.”
This is a dead end. The conversation stops. Your manager now has to find someone else or figure it out themselves.
Response 2: “I don’t, but let me figure out how to do it.”
This is better. It shows initiative and willingness to learn.
Response 3: “I don’t, but I think Sarah knows—she worked on something similar last quarter. Let me connect with her and get back to you by tomorrow.”
This is the superpower.
You’re not just offering to learn. You’re showing resourcefulness. You’re building connections. You’re providing a timeline. You’re turning a gap in your knowledge into a solution.
The earlier you start investing in your network, the more it pays off later.
The key insight: Your value isn’t in knowing everything. It’s in being the person who can figure things out and make connections.
Superpower #2: Give Credit Generously
Picture this: Your team just delivered a major project successfully.
Response 1: “We did a great job on this project.”
Generic. Forgettable. Nobody feels special.
Response 2: “I worked really hard on this and delivered it on time.”
You’re making it about you. This might feel good in the moment, but it doesn’t build relationships.
Response 3: “This worked because Maria solved that critical database issue within tight timelines, and Dev’s design made it so intuitive that we had zero complaints from users. Couldn’t have done it without them.”
This is the superpower.
When you shine a light on others, something magical happens. People remember who made them feel valued. They want to work with you again. They recommend you for opportunities. They go the extra mile for you.
The key insight: Your reputation grows faster when you grow other people’s reputations.
And here’s the bonus: Leaders notice people who lift others up. Because that’s what leaders do.
Superpower #3: Save People Time
This one is subtle but powerful.
Someone asks you for information or a deliverable.
Response 1: “Here’s the report.” (Sends attachment.)
You completed the task. But you’ve created work for the recipient. They now have to read the entire thing to find what they need.
Response 2: “Here’s the report. Let me know if you have questions.”
Slightly better. You’re offering help. But they still have to dig through it first.
Response 3: “Here’s the report. Key finding: we can reduce costs by 30% if we migrate by Q2. Page 7 has the detailed breakdown. The main risk is the two-week training period for the team. Happy to discuss next steps whenever you’re ready.”
This is the superpower.
You’ve given them:
The bottom line upfront
Where to find details
What to watch out for
A clear next step
You’ve saved them 20 minutes. And you’ve shown that you think about their needs, not just your task.
The key insight: People remember those who respect their time.
Do this consistently, and you become the person everyone wants on their team. Because working with you is easier.
Why These Work
These three superpowers share something in common: They’re not about working harder or being smarter.
They’re about working differently.
They’re about shifting from:
“I completed my task” to “I solved the problem”
“I did my part” to “I helped the team succeed”
“I delivered what was asked” to “I delivered what was needed”
The best part? You can start practicing these today. In your next meeting. In your next email. In your next conversation.
Your Turn
Pick one of these superpowers and try it this week.
When someone asks you a question you don’t know the answer to, connect them with someone who does.
When your team achieves something, name the specific people who made it happen.
When you send information, lead with the key takeaway.
Small changes. Big impact.
That’s how you accelerate your career.
What superpower will you develop first? Share in the comments.
Enjoyed reading the article? You might also enjoy the most popular posts from Big Tech Careers:
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The "save people time" point is criminally underrated. I used to think thoroughness meant including everything, but a former manager once told me that making decisions easier for people is worth more than being comprehensive. That shift in mindset changed how I communicate at work, and the feedback has been night and day differnet.