How to communicate your value at work without bragging

Leaders can defuse office politics and the formation of competing factions by encouraging people to listen to each other, find common ground and instill a sense of common purpose and mission across departments, write Gregg and Bob Vanourek. "Good leaders encourage people to move forward on areas of agreement even if they can't agree on everything," they write.

Put it into practice: Leaders can avoid divisiveness in their workforce by urging employees to keep an open mind when dealing with each other and learn the art of compromise, Gregg and Bob Vanourek write. "It's fine to have and express our opinions, but it's important to be open to new ideas and different perspectives."

Learning to keep track of and communicate your successes and value to a company can make a big difference in whether you're considered for prime projects or promoted. "Many employees are passed by or completely overlooked simply because senior management doesn't know how valuable they are or [know that] employees are looking for more responsibility," writes executive coach Joel Garfinkle, who offers four tips for increasing your recognition -- and helping you feel more valued.

Put it into practice: Make notes about your role in projects, how you have added measurable value to them and new skills you've learned doing so. "Look for ways to polish and practice your executive presence at every opportunity," Garfinkle writes, and seek out new projects to highlight your contributions without bragging.

Changes in office workspace aren't likely to go over well without solid communication with employees far in advance rather than an after-the-fact "voila," says Mahesh Vidyasagar of consultancy Robert Half. "If you don't give them the right tools with which to adapt and execute to a new design, new format, to the hybrid environment, it could really affect how they perform," Vidyasagar says.

Put it into practice: Vidyasagar explains how CBRE successfully transitioned to a new workplace. Create a steering committee and group of go-to employees at the outset, tailor strategies to industry type, geographical differences and worker demographics and plan to assist those resistant to change, Vidyasagar and CBRE's Peter Van Emburgh advise.

Female leaders should be role models for other women who want to advance to the C-suite, says Bose CEO Lila Snyder, who recommends being authentic and stepping outside your comfort zone to take risks that can move you forward. "Taking those risks is how you fail, how you learn, and how you develop new capabilities. And in a finite career, the faster you can develop yourself and your skills, the farther you'll go," Snyder says.

Spandex was invented in 1958, but superheroes such as Superman and the Phantom were depicted in skintight clothing as early as 1936, with Adam West's Batman in the 1960s "cementing it in popular culture as the superhero fabric of choice," says Texas State University history professor Louie Dean Valencia. "A flexible, form-fitting suit would allow the wearer to move easily, without inducing too much drag, and the wicking properties and washability must also be a big bonus when you're casually saving the world every evening," adds Suze Kundu, the director of research and community engagement at Digital Science.

The only reason I will never be a superhero: I hate spandex.

I have decided my superpower is taking naps. I am "Captain Naps-alot." I'll need to be well-rested to save the world, right? Besides, pajamas are more comfy than spandex.

My other superpower is choosing the slowest line in the grocery store.

What's your superpower? Tell me!

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