They say our fast-paced world needs highly sensitive people, or HSPs as they are often called. What about the workplace? Can people with this complex and empathetic mind also add value here? Or are they just too sensitive. Dr. Candan Aydemir-Tam, healthcare psychologist, tells us how a highly sensitive person at work can be the main spider in the web. thanks to their unique qualities. They notice things that most of us don’t, and they can play an indispensable role in team bonding. This is her story.

Dr. Aydemir-Tam, how does a highly sensitive person experience the world of work?

Due to a hypersensitivity to stimuli, highly sensitive people, or HSPs, can be highly receptive to noises, lights or smells. They can experience a workplace or their workload as overwhelming, and feel more overstimulated than a non-sensitive person will. All of this can lead to fatigue. So, HSPs usually need more quiet moments to recover and recharge themselves. Certain every-day situations at work can lead to feelings of being overburdened. For example, HSPs generally find it difficult to express their overwhelm or set boundaries for themselves. They often feel that there are too many tasks or responsibilities for them to handle properly.

What aspects of work that we don’t think about can be challenging for HSPs?

First there is the journey to work. Highly sensitive people can be sensitive to crowded and noisy environments. Such as those on trains – especially when overcrowded – or traffic jams. These stimuli during the commute can be experienced as intense. This can leave them in need of extra recovery time upon arrival at work. Also, work feedback can have a profound effect on a highly sensitive person at work. Whether positive and negative. They can often take feedback very personally and will find it an emotional challenge.

Then, HSPs feel a need for diligence, and generally have high levels of conscientiousness and thoroughness. A highly sensitive person at work also processes information in depth. So they will need some time extra to read emails or to finish tasks. They set high standards for themselves, so tight deadlines can put extra pressure on them. HSPs also generally have a innate need to stay motivated. They work well with tasks that are meaningful to them and in line with their values.

HSPs feel a need for diligence, and generally have high levels of conscientiousness and thoroughness. Because they process information in depth, they also need some extra time to read emails or to finish tasks.”

How does this related to them working with others?

For most people, working with people in a room who can see them is a normal, every-day occurrence. But, a highly sensitive person at work can be aware of the presence and judgments of others. Even if they are in another room. The way the brain of a highly sensitive person is wired means they often experience a feeling of being watched.

Basically, HSPs usually have a highly-developed intuition and are highly empathetic. This means they can pick up subtle signals from others. They are sensitive to another person’s emotional energy and the moods and emotions of colleagues. They can be acutely aware of subtle nuances in tone of voice during phone conversations. What this means is that during (online) group meetings, a highly sensitive person at work is processing multiple conversations and voices at the same time! They are often sensitive to non-verbal cues and subtle dynamics in the group.

“HSPs often have a highly-developed intuition and are highly empathetic. This means they are can pick up subtle signals from others.”

Are highly sensitive persons just too sensitive for the workplace?

That depends on your perspective. For example. As a manager with an HSP among the workforce, it pays to take a step back from their own agenda. To see the power of them unfolding. Also, managers can be open to finding a middle ground with the highly sensitive person at work. Openness of the employer and of colleagues is very important: to want to understand the HSP.

For instance, does a HSP colleague ask to start and leave earlier to avoid rush hour? A manager can choose to help them with this. And make sure that no one will begrudge them this. Such leaders can actually keep all of this under control by communicating with all colleagues, including non-HSPs. To discuss all the available options and opportunities, including flexible schedules.

“As a manager, it pays to take a step back from your own agenda and see the power of an HSP among the workforce unfolding.”

They say that today’s world needs highly sensitive people. What about the workplace?

Absolutely, highly sensitive people bring unique qualities and valuable contributions to the work environment. For example, thanks to their ability to notice subtle details and nuances, they can come up with creative solutions and innovative ideas. Their need for thoroughness and accuracy has granted them an eye for detail. Also, HSPs have a preference to work in a way that is conscientious. This means they can contribute to the quality and precision of the work that is delivered.

Their strong intuitive skills can positively affect any decision-making. It enables them to quickly understand situations and information. It empowers them to make well-considered decisions. HSPs can be experts in detecting small nuances in a face. So they can take into account what another person needs. They have high levels of empathy, and understand the needs and emotions of others. This allows them to have a positive effect on team dynamics.

A highly sensitive person at work can play a supporting role in a team. Having an HSP can help with group bonding. As good listeners they can contribute to positive team dynamics. An HSP is someone who will find focus in a chaotic meeting and can help create order. All in all, a highly sensitive person at work can be seen as a key spider in the web. Among many other things, they can help with team bonding and that is a super power!

“All in all, a HSP colleague or worker can be seen as a key spider in the web. Among many other things, they can help with team bonding and that is a super power!”

HSP: A unique experience of the world

Researchers have tested the brains and nervous systems of highly sensitive people (HSP). They found that they way they experience the world is quite unique. They undergo things in a way that is intense to them, or overwhelming. All aspects of life hit them harder, and they need time and space alone to process it.

For example, they take a lot of time to make a decision. They can see all the aspects of an issue and need time to evaluate it all. Also, they can have an astute awareness of their surroundings. They can be aware of the feeling of the ground they walk on. Or of the way the light falls into a room, or how their clothes feel.

It was Swiss Psychiatrist Carl Jung who discovered an innate sensitiveness in some people. There has been a lot of research into ultra-sensitive mind since.

Dr. Elaine Aron and Dr. Arthur Aron coined the term HSP. According to the Arons, around 20% of the population has this trait. Their Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has shown that brains of highly sensitive to respond more powerfully to emotional images.

Today, HSPs have a reputation related to their awareness and emotional awareness. Dr Elaine Aron wrote about the positive experiences and empathy that HSPs, such as herself, can benefit from. All this applies to highly sensitive person at work.

About our interviewee

Candan Aydemir-Tam is a healthcare psychologist and coordinating director from the Netherlands. She works with Specialisten Net, a Dutch national network of specialists for organisational psychological support and coaching. Its specialists carry out various investigations that can help clients with their further career. Or, to gain insight into what limitations clients have and what they can do to improve things. She has worked with many a highly sensitive person at work.

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