Our Superpowers
By Dara Rudick, CAE — CEO | Interim Executive Director
I wore my superhero bracelet to that meeting.
Earlier in my career I imagined a future where I was 100% confident in all situations. I never felt stressed before a difficult conversation. I envisioned being so wise and seasoned that no conversation was difficult.
As I enter this supposedly “wise and seasoned” stage of life, reality is more complicated. Experience has indeed taught me valuable lessons – just not always the ones I expected.
Which brings me to the meeting I was facing that day. It was going to be a tough one.
My wellness “secrets” probably aren’t surprising: basic routines like a good night’s sleep, connections with friends and family, exercise, meditation, and a fairly healthy diet.
These systems certainly helped me to prepare, and yet I was still stressed.
Then I remembered: I have my superhero bracelet.
This is a very special item. It belonged to my Grandma Marie, one of the most influential people in my life, and a tremendous character in more than one way. She was tough – would be proud to be called that – and she never seemed scared. She was also hilarious, imperfect, and relished a good fight. But what I remember most is her telling me “You’re a good kid” and the 40+ years she spent as a powerful influence and support in my life.
I often think of Grandma Marie as I prepare for a challenge.
The meeting went better than I could have hoped. Not because it was unexpectedly easy, but because I was prepared.
The Leadership Parallel
Sometimes I see this same pattern in the leaders I work with. We as leaders might imagine that with enough experience, tough decisions and conversations will simply become easy. Unfortunately, that’s not how leadership works.
The most effective leaders I work with don’t avoid difficulty—they prepare for it. They build routines, structures, and support systems that help them show up as their best selves when challenges arise. And they may have a few “secrets” up their sleeves.
At MHQ, we’ve learned that organizational resilience isn’t about avoiding hard conversations or tough decisions. It’s about creating systems and practices that help leadership teams navigate them with confidence, clarity, and perhaps even a bit of a sense of humor that helps keep perspective.
As I clasp my (her) superhero bracelet around my wrist, I remember with love, admiration, and refreshed confidence that we all have the power to create systems that help us bring forward our best, no matter how tough the meeting, no matter how hard the challenge.
What helps you bring your best self to tough moments?
About MHQ
Driven by the vision of a thriving, vibrant community, MHQ is a woman-owned, world-class management company that delivers customized services. Founded in 2013, MHQ has provided association management services since its inception, as well as infrastructure to organizations in a range of industries. We serve professional and trade associations, as well as government and public sector entities. For more about MHQ, visit https://www.management-hq.com/.
