Cutline Speaks

The Superpowers of Cutline

posted by Erin on July 31, 2008

Earlier this week I was listening to Talk of the Nation on NPR and happened to catch an interesting segment on interviewing. Lynne Sarikas, director of the career center at Northeastern University, was on the show to talk about curveball questions -- the questions that employers ask candidates during the job interview process that help them better determine the candidate's strengths and weaknesses, ability to think quickly, creativity and more. So, it got me thinking -- how would Cutliners respond to curveball questions. Obviously, there's far less pressure since they're all employed already but I thought it worthy of a quick experiment.

This morning I sent out a note, offered bonus points for quick responses, and asked my fellow Cutliners if they could posses any super power, what would it be and why. Without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to the Super Powers of Cutline.

1. The power to rid the world of colds. OK, really, our vice president of people development really wants to rid herself of the cold and ear infections that have taken over her life for the last two weeks, but if she had the power, I'm sure she'd share.

2. One Cutliner wants to have the ability to freeze time. I personally think this is because if she could freeze time, it would be the time she spends with me but perhaps she wants to freeze it to get away from me. Hmm. I need to think on this some more. But I agree, it would be a great power to have!

3. Two Cutliners are down with teleporting. One so he can travel anywhere instantly without worrying about means of transportation. (For those of you in the Bay Area who commute from the Financial District, a little tip from Dan: the 30x stops running at 6:30 in the evening and the 45 is a zoo at night.) Another Cutliner is just more interested in being teleported from meeting to meeting. That's a good thing to be so I'll grant her this wish.

4. Some of us were swayed by the books we're reading. Mel just finished reading the Time Traveler's Wife, so would really like the power to time travel. Megan has apparently read the book, too, and says it's great. Guess what I'm going to be reading this weekend?

5. Our office manager extraordinaire had this to say: "I would read peoples minds (selectively, not like in "What Women Want" where he hears what everyone is thinking... too confusing! I would want to be able to choose whose mind I read)! Why? Because that would be so cool to be able to hear what other's are thinking!" Hmm. I'm not sure that I like that idea too much. For heavy duty thinkers like me, that sounds just downright awful.

6. Another Cutliner wants the power to control things and people with his mind. I asked him if he isn't already doing this and he reassured me that he's trying. Nice work.

7. The newest member of the Cutline Crew wants the power that would enable her to get completely ready (as in shower, hair, makeup, etc.) in lightning speed because she gets yelled at by everyone for taking too long to get ready. I like that power and would like to have it myself.

8. As if teleporting, reading minds, freezing time and time travel weren't enough... one of us wants to possess the power to fly. Given the current state of the airline industry, I'd say that's a power we'd all like to have!

9. Finally, one of the most prolific writers at Cutline wants the ability to read people's minds. He wants this power for a number of reasons: to empathize with others so he can understand their point of view better; to learn more quickly; to protect his personal interests and the safety of loved ones; and, to meaningfully change the course of geopolitical history, which he says would be... cool. Wish granted!

And, in case you're wondering, my super power would be the ability to simultaneously read people's minds and hearts. I think too often we lead with our heads when there's clearly some value in leading with your heart. In my experience, the passion that makes people successful and keeps us all going comes straight from the heart. So, I'd like to be able to understand what people think they *should* do while also understand what they really *want* to do.

What super power do you wish you possessed?

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