Remember that classic icebreaker question? You know the one: "If you could have one superpower, what would it be?" It probably came up in small group settings at school, camp, or work. During the Zoom boom of 2020, icebreakers like this became the go-to way to connect in the virtual world.

“Let’s go around the circle and introduce ourselves,” someone would say. Then, as if to pause for effect, “And let’s share what superpower we’d choose.”

Answers ranged from flying and telekinesis to Jedi mind control. While we all know these superpowers don’t exist, who hasn’t dreamed of waving a hand Obi-Wan-style to breeze through a toll booth?

But what if I told you there is a superpower you can develop—one that will benefit not only you but your entire company? This superpower doesn’t just serve you; it serves others.

That superpower is focus.

In a recent newsletter, Nelson Wang of Partner Principles said it best: “Focus is a superpower.”

In today’s world, where ads, notifications, Slack messages, and relentless emails compete for our attention, focus has become a rare and transformative skill. Imagine how much more productive we could be—for our families, relationships, and businesses—if we mastered the superpower of focus.

Now, imagine what that could mean for partnerships.

The Power of Focus in Partnerships

As a consultant and partner manager, I know partnerships come with endless possibilities. As your company’s prominence and leadership grow, so do the opportunities to partner with organizations of all sizes.

I recently spoke with a partner manager who met with 25 companies at one conference. Twenty-five! Others I know are onboarding 100 partners a month. While these numbers are impressive, I often ask, “How many of these partnerships are truly aligned with your business objectives this year?”

If you were to pick just one type of partner—or even a small handful—and focus your efforts there, how much more could your company grow?

One of our clients at CoPort faced this exact challenge. When onboarding with us, they shared that they worked with seven different partner types, each with its own subtypes and ecosystems. Their strategy was scattered, and as a result, they lacked direction.

When you prioritize everyone, no one is the priority.

So, we encouraged them to focus. They narrowed their strategy to one partner type and a select group of three top-priority partners. The results? A 300% increase in company revenue within a year. That’s the power of focus.

How to Develop the Superpower of Focus

Good news: you can develop focus as a superpower for your partnership program. Here are five steps to help your business grow in 2025:

1. Define Your Goals You can’t focus if you don’t know where you’re going. Take time to define your company’s goals for the year. Once you have clarity, align your partnership efforts around those goals.
2. Build a Process My brother-in-law, who’s in the military, shared that if a meeting invite doesn’t include an agenda, people decline it. Similarly, don’t meet with random companies without a clear agenda. Develop a partner onboarding process and stick to it. Presenting your process to potential partners helps you focus on those serious about collaboration.
3. Learn to Say No Saying no (or “not yet”) is essential to prioritizing what’s most important. It’s tempting to pursue every opportunity, but that’s how you miss the truly impactful partnerships. Be realistic, set boundaries, and embrace the power of saying no.
4. Review the Process Starting strong is great, but sustaining focus requires regular check-ins. Periodically revisit your goals and assess your partners’ alignment with them. Bernhard Friedrichs emphasizes that long-term alignment is critical for partnership success.
5. Track the Results Use data to ensure your focus stays sharp. It’s like using a telescope: if someone adjusts the focus dial, you need to realign to see clearly. Data acts as your guiding star, ensuring you’re on track to achieve your objectives.

Your Superpower in 2025

As you look ahead to 2025, my wish for you is not to gain the superpower you might have named during an icebreaker. Instead, I hope you develop the superpower of focus. With it, you can grow as a partner manager and drive success for your company. Because when partnerships improve, everyone wins.

Photo by Paul Skorupskas on Unsplash