Source: www.forbes.com
A Highly sensitive person (HSP) is a personality identified by psychologist Elaine Aron. Present in 15-30% of the population, HSPs are employees with high levels of Sensory Processing Sensitivity reflected in a display of increased emotional sensitivity, stronger reactivity to both external and internal stimuli—pain, hunger, light and noise—and a complex inner life.
Sensory Processing Sensitivity is a personality trait—not a medical disorder—that cannot be diagnosed and doesn’t require treatment. HSPs take in more physical, emotional, and environmental stimuli than the average employee, leading to over stimulation and overwhelm. In our culture, sensitivity is often seen as a weakness, but heightened sensitivity has many gifts. Rachel Harrison-Sund. insists that sensitivity can be a “superpower”—not a flaw—that can be enormous assets in life and in the workplace.
Seven Signs Of Highly Sensitive Employees
Since most HSPs have been told things like, “you’re too sensitive” or “toughen up,” they learn to hide their sensitivity, believing that it’s a defect, Harrison-Sund told me by email. After leaving the corporate world, she built a successful business helping HSPs, like herself, capitalize on their strengths and navigate their unique challenges. As a business owner, she understands the importance of recognizing the seven signs of HSP employees to support their assets for the team:
- Conscientiousness. HSP’s put their all into work, consistently aiming for excellence to avoid mistakes. “Honesty and integrity are important, and they strive to keep their ethics intact at all times,” she explains. “They are thorough in their efforts and attuned to fine details. They are loyal, committed and don’t like to disappoint their teammates.”
- Ability to focus on the big picture. Generally, HSPs are adept at seeing the big picture and attention to detail. HSPs take in more information, and process that information more deeply, she told me, adding that, “They have a unique ability to see patterns, spot trends, connect the dots and break down complex topics into easily understandable chunks.
- Less social. HSPs can become easily overstimulated in social settings, so they often spend less time socializing at home and in the workplace. “While HSPs are generally warm and friendly, they often prefer to stay at their desk, keep their head down and focus on the task at hand,” she points out. “Over stimulation in social settings may mean that an HSP might frequently decline social invitations to after-work events.”
- Team players. Even though HSPs are less social, Harrison-Sund notes that their caring, supportive personalities help their fellow colleagues feel seen, heard and understood, contributing to positive workplace morale. “HSPs are receptive to and supportive of the ideas of others, easily finding common ground using their ability to see things from multiple perspectives,” she states. “Their natural intuition makes it easier to anticipate the needs of their co-workers. HSPs don’t tend to seek the spotlight and enjoy giving praise and credit where it’s due.”
- Creative problem solvers. “HSPs are able to see problems from multiple angles,” she mentions. “They’re able to take in vast amounts of information, connecting the dots where others may not. They can easily see patterns, spot trends and identify risks and opportunities. Their creative problem solving ability often leads to out of the box thinking and novel solutions.”
- Heightened emotional responses. Harrison-Sund describes how HSPs feel their emotions more deeply and have difficulty concealing them at work. “This may show up as difficulty receiving harsh criticism, tearing up after a stressful day, appearing frazzled or stressed out during exceptionally busy periods or showing signs of feeling drained after long meetings,” she explains. “HSPs are also sensitive to the moods of those around them, which can in turn affect their own mood.”
- Require extra time and space processing. Because HSPs take in more information and process that information more deeply, she explains that they often need extra time to work through problems and offer up solutions, adding, “This might present itself as not speaking up in meetings, being quiet during brainstorming sessions or appearing uncomfortable or going blank when put on the spot.”