We all have a superpower.
No, not the ability to fly or become invisible, but something far more impactful. It’s the unique combination of how we think, how we act, and how we communicate. In the world of stakeholder engagement, especially in the context of major infrastructure projects, this superpower becomes critical.
But here’s the paradox: most people don’t know what their superpower is.
They look at roles, job descriptions, and Gantt charts. They manage risks and deliver milestones. But in the process, they often forget to understand the one thing that can make all the difference: themselves.
Start with ‘why’ but don’t stop there
Inspired by Simon Sinek, people will often here me say, “stakeholders don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” But understanding your ‘why’ is just the start. To apply that ‘why’ effectively, especially in high-stakes environments like infrastructure, you need more than passion. You need clarity, logic, and evidence, all the tools that build trust in both people and process.
Stakeholder engagement is not about convincing people with flashy brochures or grand promises. It’s about proving, with logic and fact, that what you’re doing makes sense and that it matters.
So, how do you discover your superpower in this context?
Logic as a compass
Think of logic as your internal compass. It helps you understand how you make decisions, how you frame a narrative, and how you interpret complex systems. For someone working on a major road scheme, for example, your superpower might not be the technical engineering knowledge, though that’s important, it might be your ability to translate complex data into understandable truths for a concerned local community.
Stakeholders don’t want jargon. They want clarity. And clarity begins with logic: a structured, honest explanation of what, why, and how, grounded in reality, not rhetoric.
Fact as foundation
Emotion connects. But fact anchors.
If logic is the compass, then fact is the terrain. When engaging stakeholders, whether that’s local residents, environmental groups, local authorities or internal delivery teams, you must offer more than good intentions. You need data. Evidence. Proven impacts. Concrete responses to concerns.
And here’s the key: facts don’t speak for themselves. They need interpreters. They need storytellers who can link numbers to outcomes, who can explain why a seemingly small change in a bypass route will transform access for generations to come.
In other words: they need you.
Applying it: infrastructure projects with a human soul
Let’s talk about the UK’s infrastructure landscape. Billions of pounds are being invested into roads, rail, energy, and digital networks. These are not just engineering exercises, they are stories of human progress. Of safer travel, greener futures, and more connected communities.
But these projects succeed not only on engineering. They hinge on trust.
That trust is built by people who understand their role as bridge-builders, not just of physical structures but of relationships. People who know their superpower: perhaps it’s the ability to listen deeply, to see patterns in feedback, to reframe objections as opportunities for collaboration.
Imagine a customer lead who sees logic in chaos and creates clarity through systems thinking. Or a stakeholder manager who uses facts not to defend, but to invite dialogue. That’s where superpowers show up, not in job titles, but in how we lead, every day.
So how do you discover yours?
Here’s a simple framework, three steps, grounded in logic and self-reflection:
- Inventory your impact: Look back at times when your work made a real difference. What skills were you using? Were you simplifying complexity? Resolving conflict? Framing vision?
- Interrogate the evidence: Gather honest feedback. What do colleagues and stakeholders consistently rely on you for? What patterns emerge?
- Integrate and articulate: Link your findings to the bigger ‘why’ of your work. When your logical strengths and factual thinking align with your purpose, that’s your superpower in motion.
The takeaway
Your superpower isn’t just what you’re good at. It’s what you consistently use to serve others, with clarity, logic, and honesty.
In the context of major UK infrastructure projects, this isn’t just nice to have. It’s essential. Because these projects aren’t just about concrete and steel. They’re about people. And people trust those who can tell the truth, clearly, confidently, and consistently.
Use your logic. Stand on fact. Connect with heart.
That’s how you lead. That’s how you make a difference.
That’s your superpower.
Rapport North 