Sensitivity, a Valuable Asset in Leadership Roles and in the Workplace

Years ago, I had this vision that organizations would know the value of the gifts of sensitivity in the workplace and leadership. I am passionate about this paradigm shift that recognizes and honors the sensitive gifts. I think the world is moving into a space that is looking for more heart-centered solutions and leadership. 

Today I was interviewed about the value of sensitivity in the workplace and leadership. One of the interviewers identified an HSP in their organization and recognized the value that they brought to the team. He said that after meetings, they would have discussions, and he would always be amazed at the level of information that she would pick up on from the meetings and attendees. She had extra information that he did not have, and he had recognized that it was the gifts of sensitivity that offered that. He saw the value in the trait of sensitivity with his own eyes, and the fact that he now wants to help organizations see it too was exciting. 

We discussed how people with high sensitivity have valuable and essential resources to offer teams and leadership, and getting HSPs into more leadership roles would benefit the world. He even said he thinks HSPs might be exactly what we need to help the world right now, and I agree!

HSPs have extra information, can read micro-expressions and body language, and energy shifts most miss. We are also rated highest by supervisors as dedicated, hard-working, and valuable. We discussed the value that can come if organizations understood that bringing in an HSP into their team or organization intentionally provides a valuable resource. We agreed that highlighting the sensitive talents would be great to see, even something HSPs put on their resumes as part of the value they bring.

Because the trait of high sensitivity is a sensory processing sensitivity, we want to be mindful of the conditions that we have an HSP working in and ways we can help them rise to their highest potential. 

If we provide environments that help a sensitive person thrive, we are considering the need for sensory breaks and private, quiet spaces. Moving away from open floor plans and all-day meetings is essential and thinking about providing opportunities for HSPs to share feedback in the ways that work for them the best. For example, rather than expecting an HSP to jump in with ideas during a group meeting, allow them to process and share their thoughts and experiences after, perhaps even by email, as it would benefit everyone. We want to think about providing work from home opportunities and office spaces with dimmer lighting, scent-free spaces, sound-proofing, and even the fabric of office furniture for those sensitive to textures. I recommended offering nature areas and ways for HSPs to take breaks to process, rest and restore, and build ways HSPs can have time off as needed. All of this means we help create conditions that allow the sensitive to thrive and access all their many gifts, including their high creativity levels. 

Conscious companies are aware of how understanding their employees' and leaders' needs effectively benefits the overall company. I loved the focus on how important it is to get HSPs into leadership roles too! I look forward to sharing this conversation with you when they release it. 

I would love to hear your thoughts on all of this in the comments below too!  How do we spread the word into companies and organizations that sensitivity is a gift in the workplace and in leadership? Please share and spread the word!

Thoughts From HSPs in my Sensitive Empowerment Community

“It’s a dance because HSP is not highly recognized. What I did when I was managing, before knowing about HSP was allow my designers a free association day every sprint (week cycle). This allowed them space at their on time to explore and create without being on a fixed schedule. I have found through my own work that creativity doesn’t spawn from a forced process and flows freely as does the universe. But knowing that businesses don’t make money without process and automation, we have to be clever with how we weave these “fundamentals” into the work week. What I’ve seen come out of free association days is more unique and stronger ideas and happier creatives overall because they are allowed to own their thought process and not fear someone micromanaging their creativity due to business-first paranoia. HSPs just have to put their creativity to work to build these mindful approaches into the workplace. It’s definitely possible.”

“I always feel a boost in appreciating my value after reading these posts. Thanks Julie Bjelland . I am self employed but I contract to my old boss and he is really great about letting me pretty much do my own thing and while we’ve never talked directly about me being an HSP he appreciates our very different styles, challenges and strengths. It will be amazing to put HSP as an asset on my resume one day 😄”

My Sensitive Empowerment Community is dedicated to helping HSPs live and thrive at their fullest potential. I hope you will come to join us and learn how to live your fullest! You are so valuable! Understanding how to support and balance your sensitive nervous system is key to helping you lower the challenges of sensitivity and access and share your many gifts! I know that by empowering you, you become part of the paradigm shift that begins to value the gifts of sensitivity and that benefits the world.  

Listen to the inspiring conversations I have had with Willow on The HSP Podcast, dedicated to helping HSPs know their value and rise to their fullest potential.

Julie Bjelland is a Psychotherapist, host of The HSP Podcast, and Founder of the Sensitive Empowerment Community, whose mission is to create a paradigm shift where sensitivity is embraced, valued and honored. Empowering sensitive people to recognize, nurture and share their gifts, her Blog, Books, and Courses offer valuable resources. Get a free guide to calm your brain, and take the Sensitivity Quiz at JulieBjelland.com ❤️🌈❤️ (she/her)