The term high sensitivity has recently become more common and refers to 20% of the population who process the world more deeply, reports Melody Wildings for Fast Company. The brain of a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) processes neurochemicals like serotonin and dopamine differently, leading to benefits such as increased perceptiveness, creativity, and careful decision-making.
Managers consistently rate people with higher sensitivity as their top contributors. Here are five ways to leverage an HSP’s traits at work.
- Highlight what others missed.
The brain of an HSP often captures nuances and details that others gloss over. Harness this skill by waiting to speak until the end of a meeting to highlight what others may have missed.
- Connect the dots.
Because of their depth of processing, an HSP is well suited for roles involving detailed information. Look for ways to synthesize and tell stories around the opportunities you see with a future-focus-forward framework. Identify a trend or pattern, tie to your work, and suggest it to your team.
- Capitalize on people skills.
Teams need colleagues with people skills to help individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. Researchers believe an HSP has more active mirror neurons, which can make them skilled at reading others’ emotions. Use mirroring to revive morale on a burned-out team and navigate conflict before a blow up.
- Create conditions for consideration.
HSPs needs more down time to deliberate than others. Block and protect time on your schedule for deep reflection and focused thought before making decisions.
- Reclaim your professional brand.
Although previously considered undesirable, sensitivity is becoming valuable in the future workplace. Skills that an HSP often exemplifies, like critical thinking, problem-solving, self-management, collaboration, and communication, will be in high demand by 2025, according to a recent report by the World Economic Forum.