When superpowers go rogue: finding your kryptonite

Lee Smith

Minutes
10th November 2025
People-First
Internal Communication
Human centred
We all love the idea of superpowers. In our upcoming Kogan Page book, People-First Internal Communication, we describe the six human strengths that will define the internal communicators of the future — empathy, curiosity, resilience, creativity, influence and courage.

These are the qualities AI can’t replicate. They’re what make us distinctively human. But, as superman knew only too well, every superpower has a dark side. Every strength, when overplayed or misapplied, can become your kryptonite. It’s that moment when what usually makes you brilliant starts to trip you up.

Spotting your kryptonite isn’t about self-criticism — it’s about self-awareness. In the rush to master new tools, frameworks and AI workflows, it’s easy to forget that how we show up as humans matters most. Knowing when our strengths are working for us — and when they’re quietly working against us — is what separates a good communicator from a truly great one.

So, let’s take a look at the six People-First superpowers… and the kryptonite that lurks behind each.

1. Empathy - when caring becomes carrying

The superpower:
Empathy is our ability to tune in to how others feel — to listen deeply, sense mood, and build trust. It’s what allows us to design communication that feels as good as it sounds.

The kryptonite:
When empathy turns into emotional overload. If you’re constantly absorbing everyone else’s stress, frustration or fear, you stop being effective. You burn out. You start taking responsibility for things you can’t fix.

Spot it when:
You leave meetings feeling drained, not energised — or find yourself saying yes just to keep others happy.

2. Curiosity - when exploring becomes avoiding

The superpower:
Curiosity drives learning, questioning and discovery. It keeps us adaptable and creative — vital in a world of rapid change.

The kryptonite:
When curiosity becomes endless exploration without decision. We hide in questions because answers feel risky. We collect insights but never act.

Spot it when:
You’re on your seventh “what if…” workshop but haven’t moved an idea forward.

3. Resilience — when strength becomes stoicism

The superpower:
Resilience helps us adapt, recover and keep perspective when things go wrong.

The kryptonite:
When resilience hardens into silent endurance. We “power through” instead of pausing, reflect or ask for help. We normalise unsustainable workloads because we think coping equals strength.

Spot it when:
You wear exhaustion like a badge of honour.

4. Creativity — when ideas become chaos

The superpower:
Creativity lets us reframe problems, see patterns and imagine new ways to connect people.

The kryptonite:
When creativity turns into constant reinvention.We chase shiny ideas, overcomplicate simple messages, or forget that sometimes people just need clarity.

Spot it when:
You’ve brainstormed ten routes but can’t choose one — or your team groans when you say “I’ve had another idea…”

5. Influence — when connection becomes compliance

The superpower:
Influence is our ability to shape perceptions and decisions through relationships, trust and insight.

The kryptonite:
When influence becomes people-pleasing or politics. We smooth over tensions instead of surfacing them. We focus on being liked rather than being useful.

Spot it when:
You walk out of a leadership meeting frustrated because you agreed to something that doesn’t sit right.

6. Courage — when bold becomes brash

The superpower:
Courage helps us challenge, speak truth to power, and stand up for what matters.

The kryptonite:
When courage turns into confrontation.We mistake bluntness for bravery or act without empathy. Sometimes we’re so focused on “being brave” that we forget to bring others with us.

Spot it when:
You leave a tough conversation thinking, “Well, I said my piece,” but no one’s actually moved forward.
The good news? Kryptonite loses its power once you spot it.

Try this simple reflection:

  1. Pick your strongest superpower.
  2. Ask: “What does this look like when I overdo it?”
  3. Name your kryptonite in one sentence.
    “My superpower is empathy — but my kryptonite is taking on everyone else’s emotions.”
  4. Share it with your team and invite them to do the same.

You’ll be amazed how much honesty, humour and self-awareness this brings to the conversation.

Being People-First isn’t just about building strengths — it’s about balancing them. AI can replicate our technical skills, but it can’t manage our inner world. That’s our job.

So, what’s your kryptonite? And how will you keep it from stealing your power this week?

🎶 If you’re ready to change the record on internal comms, our brand new podcast, The Stuck Record, is your next stop - and track three is all about the six IC Superpowers and the People-First Capability Model. Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.