Ideas to Action: My Superpowers & My Weak Spots

Hello Everyone,

This week's newsletter edition delves into an interesting question: What are your superpowers when taking ideas into action? With the People Matters TechHR event around the corner —first in Singapore on July 18th and then in India on August 1st— we're calling on the community to embrace the theme "From Inspiration to Action." This year’s agenda in Asia’s Largest HR & Work Tech conference is all about seizing the limitless opportunities arising from the rapid changes and disruptions in our environment.

Why now, you ask? Because this moment is ripe for creating significant impacts in our businesses, our roles, and our personal lives. Are you ready to seize this opportunity?

My Superpowers: Clarity of Vision & Consistency in Efforts

Reflecting on my journey, I've discovered that my superpowers are most potent during intense creative demand or crisis. Whether launching a new product or navigating a challenging situation, my ability to focus intensely and maintain relentless discipline has consistently driven my success.

Let’s revisit an example close to home. In 2014, when we first launched People Matters TechHR, we aimed to redefine the conference experience completely. We innovated at every turn—from inviting unconventional speakers to experimenting with session formats and integrating the exhibition space seamlessly with content, all under one roof. Our clear vision and persistent efforts turned our ambitious ideas into reality. We applied new thinking and principles again in 2019 when we introduced the conference to Singapore, tailoring it to meet the unique needs of a diverse market. And again, it was a grand success.

These experiences have profoundly shaped our organizational culture at People Matters, constantly reminding us to consider, "What’s the end in mind?" and "How are we going to achieve it?" This process of continually bringing clarity on WHY and HOW is an integral part of who we are and how we operate, helping us constantly learn and improve.

My Weak Spots: Tapping into My Superpowers by Choice!

However, a personal revelation struck recently when I questioned why I couldn't deploy these superpowers in everyday situations that, while not high-stakes, were still important to me. I realized that my superpowers had always been context-triggered—activated during moments of innovation or crisis, yet dormant otherwise.

I've struggled to apply the same focus and discipline to daily tasks, whether maintaining my health, streamlining work processes, or keeping up routines at home with our children.

Overcoming My Weak Spots: Begin Again

Sam Harris's concept of "Beginning Again" has given me direction on where I can find an answer in this journey of realization and transformation. He says:

"No matter your past mistakes or inactions, each moment offers a fresh start. Don’t carry the baggage of the past. Live this moment as if it were new. Just begin again."

Embracing this mindset has started to help me restart with compassion whenever I lack focus or discipline on important tasks that might not be high-stakes at the moment. Whether adhering to a fitness regimen or consistently enhancing our team's processes, the idea is to begin again with gentle determination. I wrote a complete newsletter on this topic months ago if you are interested. 

Now, Over to You

What are your superpowers when you reflect on how you take “ideas to action” or “inspiration to action”? In which situations have you observed them shining through?

Share your stories. Let’s inspire each other to harness our collective superpowers for change.

I'm eagerly looking forward to meeting many of you very soon at People Matters TechHR, as we continue to evolve and transform all those inspiring ideas into impactful actions!