My manager casually brought up X-Men during our performance review

I was in my annual review, fully prepared to discuss metrics and goals, when my manager offhandedly compared our team's dynamic to the X-Men. He said we all have unique 'powers' that complement each other, which was a surprisingly apt analogy from a non-fan. I couldn't resist and mentioned how Professor X's leadership style has its flaws, which led to a brief, fun debate. It felt refreshing to have a work conversation that acknowledged my comic book passion without it being awkward. This small moment made me realize that being open about my fandom can actually enhance professional relationships. Now, I'm less hesitant to use comic references in presentations, knowing it might resonate more than I thought.