In our current standard of transactional business – where competition is often so fierce that a “normal” day can feel like the business-card comparison scene from American Psycho – there is a unique group of individuals whose approach to business interactions stands in stark contrast.
These unique individuals are the Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), and they possess a superpower that sets them apart in the realm of business. In all areas of life, really!
And if you’re reading this, it just might be that you’re one of us – because I’m an HSP, too!
What is an HSP?
Highly Sensitive People are, at our cores, safety detectors. We possess an extraordinary ability to sense threats at the most subtle levels.
Whether it’s physical danger, emotional unease, or the mere whiff of judgment and blame, HSPs detect these like a gas leak in the air. Our heightened awareness allows us to navigate the world with a keen sensitivity.
For most, sensitivity can feel like a burden. Living in the world with such openness and even rawness is sometimes akin to having a perpetual sunburn — every touch, no matter how gentle or familiar, can be excruciatingly painful.
Yet, for HSPs, this sensitivity is not a weakness; it is our profound strength.
The Story of Alex: An HSP in the Business World
Alex, an HSP who runs a successful consulting firm, has an approach to business unlike that of many of his peers. In an industry where aggressive sales tactics and high-pressure techniques are the standard for getting needs met from colleagues, potential clients, team members, and industry contacts, Alex’s sensitivity is his inner guiding star.
He has learned to trust this guidance system, because Alex noticed he feels calmer when he honors his sensitivity and where it leads him. It has consistently promoted him to deeper connections and more meaningful outcomes with clients, and allows him to honor his values while still achieving success. He feels more fulfillment in both his personal and professional life when he is in touch with his experience of being an HSP.
One day, Alex met with a potential client, Maria, who was looking for consulting guidance on a major career decision. As they spoke, Alex could sense Maria’s underlying anxiety about the impending change in her life, even though she was putting on a brave face and being thoughtful to create change on her own terms. Most consultants might have pushed Maria towards a decision, using persuasive techniques to close the deal quickly and move onto the next potential client’s contract. The quicker the decision in a sales conversation, the more potential clients can be seen in a day, and the more contracts signed – and all the more money to be made, right?
But Alex took a different path.
Instead of rushing Maria through her options towards what he thought best, Alex created a safe space for Maria. He saw her fearful thoughtfulness, acknowledged her emotions, and allowed her to express her concerns without judgment. He listened deeply, picking up on the subtle cues that others might miss—the slight tone shifts in her voice, the fleeting hand movements of uncertainty, and a subtle plea for help and understanding in her eyes.
He listened as Maria revealed more about what was happening in her life while she became more at ease with this person in front of her: she shared her stresses about feeling behind and finances, her indecision that led her to seek guidance in a consulting firm, and her true desires for the trajectory of her career fulfillment.
Through his sensitivity, the spaciousness he gave his client, and the resulting questions he knew to ask because he listened to Maria’s discomfort, Alex was able to understand what Maria truly needed: time, reassurance, and a sense of control over her decision.
By honoring Maria’s emotional safety, Alex built a foundation of trust. He provided her with the information and support she needed to make an informed choice, free from pressure.
In the end, Maria chose to work with Alex – not because she was coerced, but because she felt genuinely cared for and understood.
Alex gave her a gift all ethical business people give to their potential clients: he placed the human over the transaction.
Why HSPs are Ethical Business Owners
Alex’s story is just one example of how HSPs can uplift our business and personal relationships landscapes. Our heightened sensitivity enables us to prioritize the well-being of our clients and people we interact with over quick wins.
Here are a few reasons why we believe HSPs are some of the most ethical business owners.
Do you recognize yourself in any of them?
- Empathy and Understanding: HSPs naturally empathize with others, allowing them to build deep, meaningful connections. This empathy roots their business practices in care and respect.
- Intuitive Decision-Making: HSPs rely on their intuition to guide their decisions rather than second-guessing or outsourcing decision-making. This intuitive approach helps them adapt quicker to the needs of the person in front of them and avoid actions that might harm their clients – even if such actions might be “profitable” in the short term.
- Commitment to Integrity: The heightened sensitivity of HSPs makes them acutely aware of ethical boundaries. They are less likely to engage in manipulative or coercive tactics, ensuring that their business dealings are conducted with integrity and improved with intentional reflection.
- Creating Safe Environments: HSPs excel at creating environments where people feel safe and valued. This emotional safety is crucial for fostering trust, long-term relationships, and inviting recurring clients or referrals through the door.
Embracing the HSP Superpower
In a world that currently financially rewards aggression and quick wins, Highly Sensitive People truly offer a refreshing alternative.
Our superpower lies in our ability to see beyond the immediate facade we often wear when we meet new people or ask for help, and in being able to perceive and prioritize the true needs of our clients. By embracing our sensitivity, HSPs not only enhance our own well-being; we set a new standard for ethical business practices in our changing world.
If you’re an HSP in the business world, know that your sensitivity is not a hindrance — it’s your greatest asset.
Use it to create a world where ethics and empathy set the tone for how we treat one another, and where every client knows they are genuinely cared for and understood.
Your reputation will grow, referrals abound, and the difference you make in the world by choosing to remain sensitive (even when it feels like a bad sunburn) will have ripple effects beyond what you can imagine.
If you want to learn how to navigate your sensitivity in an uplifting and useful way, check out our free Polyvagal Training “From Freakout to Freedom.”
