One Actual Superpower

Ordinarily, most of us, most of the time, make it through a day with hardly anyone caring about what we think or what’s going on in our lives. Oh, we’ll get the occasional inquiry. So, what you been up to? How’re you doing? Judging from the paucity of follow-up questions, those asking are usually just being polite.

Most of us don’t mind, most of the time. We’re accustomed to it. It’s in our comfort zone.

Comfort zones go a long way to explaining why the mere thought of running for office gives so many the willies, why countless good people would rather be hogtied, coated in honey and tossed in a bear’s den than have their names on a ballot.

Few welcome the scrutiny. Or the unrelenting strain on family life. The idea of always having to be on—forever smiling, constantly glad-handing—appeals to almost no one. Anyone with an ounce of pride fears reputational harm, being presumed a scheming no-account ladder climber, a liar, a backstabber, a sellout, a crook.

Should you win, a toxic workplace…