Lately, I’ve been thinking about my freelance journey and asking myself: if I were to look for a job, what role would I want? To figure that out, I broke the question into two parts:
- What is my superpower?
- Which skill do I want to invest in developing?
Let’s break it down.
What Is My Superpower?
If you’re curious about the foundation of my skills, check out my earlier article on understanding foundational skills. For this thought exercise, I leaned on a self-assessment framework I’ve used before.
First, the Naive Method
Here’s my personal take, purely subjective and unapologetically headcanon:
- Connecting: 9/10. I’m great at collecting information, defining scope (objectives, priorities), and building rapport. I’d bet I’m top-tier in this area.
- Understanding Problems: 8.5/10. I excel at diving deep into problems and breaking them down.
- Proposing Solutions: 7.5/10. I’m not a world-class genius at this, but I’m well above average.
- Implementing for Impact: 7/10. Same as above—better than most, but not a savant.
So, based on the grades, is connecting my superpower?
What I know for sure is that I’m naturally curious. I can spark conversations, build trust quickly, and make people feel comfortable enough to share their challenges. I’m not a seller; I’m more of an advisor. But it still feels like something’s missing.
A High-Level Perspective
Okay, maybe picking one area isn’t the full answer. Let’s zoom out.
The fact that I’m above a 7 in all four categories isn’t common. It’s not just about being well-rounded; it’s about how these skills compound. Being good at all four means I can:
- Make decisions quickly.
- Avoid big mistakes.
- Consistently deliver solid outcomes (even if not flashy).
In a fast-moving environment, being a one-person SWAT team who can steer decisions and execute without needing constant input is powerful. My superpower might be exactly that: starting things, steering them, and finishing strong.
What Do I Want to Improve?
Assuming I want to level up my SWAT skill tree, the question becomes: what’s the best move?
- Do I focus on what I’m already great at and aim to become elite?
- Do I look for a role that feeds my curiosity and passion?
- Do I work on areas where I’m less strong, like implementation?
Discarding Option 3
Nope. Implementation-specific expertise is something I’d pick up naturally in any role. Companies will teach their tools and processes; I’ll learn fast enough.
Option 2
This one’s tempting. Problems will always be there, whether at a strategic or tactical level. Being well-rounded adds value, so focusing narrowly on one skill feels limiting.
Option 1 and a Wildcard
That leaves me with Option 1—doubling down on my strongest skill: connecting. Breaking it down, this could translate into roles like:
- Customer Success: Helping clients maximize value is tricky. It often means setting limits on how much support to offer since compensation depends on retention metrics. Prioritizing KPIs over genuinely helping someone who needs it more feels disheartening. However, managing a single high-value client? That could be interesting.
- Sales (Pre-Sales or Account Exec): This role is about qualifying leads, running demos, and solving problems where customer needs meet solutions. The appeal here lies in assessing whether a solution truly fits—and deep software knowledge becomes a big asset.
- Events: Building relationships and engaging communities sounds exciting but requires heavy travel, which doesn’t align with my current lifestyle.
Then there’s the wildcard—improving my ability to align teams and drive outcomes. That leads me to roles like:
- Project Manager: Coordinating teams to hit goals. It’s practical but feels a bit too operational for me.
- Product Manager: Now we’re talking. Aligning teams, solving problems, and contributing to long-term strategies feels like the sweet spot. It’s a “mini-CEO” role, and that founder energy resonates. This could also be a great next step as I’m building my experience through personal projects as a technical marketer with an intuition for design and the ability to implement full-stack projects.
Preferences
Here’s how I’d rank my options:
- Product Manager: It’s the perfect mix of strategy, execution, and building leadership. Adding leadership as a fifth dimension amplifies my SWAT skills, acting as a multiplier that enhances team alignment, decision-making speed, and overall impact.
- Pre-Sales / Account Exec: A great way to master connecting while diving into sales processes.
- Customer Success: Less appealing unless it’s hyper-focused on one or two high-value clients.
Conclusion
Looking back, my perspective has evolved a lot since 2021. My superpower lies in understanding problems end-to-end and delivering practical solutions. If I were to shift roles, I’d focus on alignment and leadership. But the idea of becoming elite at connecting and leveraging that in sales or product management also excites me.
Writing this article and fleshing out this thought exercise motivates me to keep growing and to take pride in who I am today. I’ll look for a position again when the timing feels right.