HSP

Highly sensitive people have brains that are wired differently. This directly affects the level of empathy among other helpful characteristics such as picking up on facial expressions, body language and etc. Empaths have great intuition and are able to do a higher level of emotional attunement. Being able to pick up on how people feel about different subjects and matters helps tremendously to connect and make sure their needs are met. This results in creating products with utmost attention to details as well as building authentic relationships that are based on trust, communication and kept promises. It produces continued business, word of mouth and a unique niche that most can’t offer - since the business world is mostly focused on the bottom line.

With years of experience in both entrepreneurship and the corporate world - one common denominator remains: how one feels while using your products or doing business with you matters extensively.

 “The value that I really learned to appreciate deeply and which I talk about a great deal is empathy. I don’t think it is simply nice to have but I believe it is at the centre of the agenda for innovation here at Microsoft.” Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft

Although not a popular concept yet, experience has proved to me and others that empathy plays a great role in the business world. With empathy - you can create unique products on a different level and gain loyal customers for years to come. Without it, you won‘t connect on a deeper level, close sales as often or gain a loyal following for long. Empathy goes a long way -predominantly with Word of Mouth proven to be one of the most effective marketing methods.

It took me a long time to realize I‘m what professionals call a full-blown Empath.  As a child and well into adulthood, I constantly heard comments like: “You care too much.”, “You’re too sensitive.”, “This is just how the world is”, “It’s not a person. It‘s just an animal.” and etc. Only recently I found out that feelings are valid and in fact - not only I was not too sensitive - but our world could use a lot more empathy.  This applies to the business world as well. 

The realization of being an Empath helped a lot with recognizing different experiences with more awarenes. It explained why I could feel how a customer felt about different matters without them saying a word. Besides having a high level of empathy, that customers appreciate, empaths literally feel what others feel. This helps to relate and connect with customers faster and more effectively.  It’s easier to gain trust, because customers are smart and know who is genuine and cares about their best interest.

This epiphany also elucidated why I could sell to certain people when others called them difficult buyers. It annotated why I would collect large overdue amounts for publicly traded companies with 1 phone call, when previous managers had not been able to do so in months. And why I thankfully gained the trust and business of clients who were not planning to continue business with previous managers.

“Empathy is about standing in someone else's shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes. Not only is empathy hard to outsource and automate, but it makes the world a better place.” Daniel H. Pink

It’s the same for creating products. You either create products and services based on your own needs that the current market does not offer or you need to be able to put yourself in the target market’s shoes and feel how they feel. Of course, that’s what research and focus groups are for, to obtain information - however being able to relate to the market research and what people feel is key.

This goes beyond picking up on facial expressions or body language when interacting with customers - although those are also important. Leading with empathy is solely intuitive and comes without effort if you have learned to trust it. We all have intuition. Empaths are simply more intuitive. 

The challenge was to embrace being an Empath and not be ashamed of it. A bigger challenge was to trust how I felt in my gut and listen to that solid inner voice unreservedly. Any time I have - it has never let me stray. In fact, both in personal and professional life, I wish I had trusted my intuition every single time. It has been extremely precise and I’m grateful that I now trust it utterly.

“Empathy helps marketers break out of their blind spots, open their eyes to the human side of the consumer and flips the conversation from brand-led to people-led.” Nick Graham, VP at PepsiCo

“I believe in intuitions and inspirations.  Sometimes I feel that I’m right. I do not know that I’m right.“ Albert Einstein 

“If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from his angle as well as your own.” Henry Ford

“Prayer is telephoning to God and intuition is God telephoning to you.” Florence Scovel Shinn 

“Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect, in my opinion.“ Steve Jobs

“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It's the impetus for creating change.” Max Carver

“...Most people don’t know anything about the inner sense while a few people rely on them just as they rely on their physical senses and in fact probably even more.“ Joybell C.

“My intuition never fails me. It is I who fail when I do not listen to it.“ Hazrat Inayat Khan

“You must train your intuition – you must trust the small voice inside you which tells you exactly what to say, what to decide.“ Ingrid Bergman

“Insight is not a lightbulb that goes off inside our heads. It’s a flickering candle that can be easily sniffed out.” Malcolm Goadwell 

“Don’t try to comprehend with your mind. Your minds are very limited. Use your intuition.” Madeleine L’Engle

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.“ Albert Einstein