The Sensitive Striver
Answer these 18 questions to shed new light on what your strengths and weaknesses might be.
James was the type of employee every manager dreamed of. Hardworking and dedicated, James was poised to become a VP of Product at a technology company. And, like a lot of people, he was a go-getter.
James loved his job and took pride in being the go-to person on the team. He was always taught he should go above and beyond, and that’s exactly what he did. Recently, though, James had taken on a big, new project. This meant more responsibility, and he was excited about the prospect of leveling up in his career.
Your feelings are useful data.
“You’re too sensitive.”
“You need a thicker skin.”
“Quit taking things so personally.”
“Stop overreacting.”
Do these sound like things you’ve heard before?
If so, it’s understandable that you may have come to view your emotionality as a liability instead of the gift that it is. After decades of being told they are thin skinned, many Sensitive Strivers eventually conclude that their emotions are excessive, invalid, or wrong, when in fact they are having a genuine emotional response that feels natural to them.
Angela, a client of mine, once summed up the pressure, saying, “Sometimes I wish I could ratchet…
The Sensitive Striver
Stepping into your power requires you to recognize that your innate qualities are both rare and valuable
When you’re a highly sensitive person (HSP), navigating your career can be challenging.
Common workplace situations that may be moderately stressful to others — like speaking in meetings or getting feedback (even over Zoom these days) — can quickly overstimulate you. In fact, studies show that workers with sensory processing sensitivity (the trait’s scientific name) tend to experience more stress than their less-sensitive peers.
In addition to being more sensitive to stimuli, HSPs process information more deeply and thoroughly. …
Stop being manipulated by outside demands on your time and attention
Boundaries at work are crucial. Healthy boundaries are among the most powerful tools for taking charge of your time, attention, and energy and are a critical tool for internalizing your locus of control.
A boundary is a limit that promotes integrity and confidence to help you maintain balance and self-respect. Setting clear boundaries stops demands and intrusions from invading your space, manipulating and disempowering you.
Much like a property line, boundaries define where you end, and others begin. Personal boundaries also help you decide what types of communication, behavior, and interaction you accept from others. …
Recently I was in the studio recording the audio version of my forthcoming book TRUST YOURSELF: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work.
Here are five lessons I learned from the experience that can apply to your life, too.
1. Patience over perfectionism
I tripped over my words at times. I’d get stuck on a sentence and have to reread it over and over. At first, I’d get frustrated with myself. I’d berate myself to “do better.” Not only that, I worried my mistakes annoyed the production team. The result? I’d only choke more! Counterintuitively, when I eased up on myself…
Your empathetic strengths give you a natural boost.
Influence — especially in the workplace — is about setting an example that inspires others to do as you do. The keyword here is, inspire. Influencing others isn’t about pressuring people to submit to your requests. Nor is it about manipulation.
Influence, at its core, is akin to persuasion in the most genuine form. It involves inspiring others by how you show up and how you make them feel by leading them.
So, how does a leader influence a team to work towards a vision, share their passion, and to get things done?
If you feel things deeply and have a strong drive to achieve, you may be a “Sensitive Striver”.
A Sensitive Striver is a high-achiever who is also more sensitive to their emotions, the world, and the behavior of those around them.
Sensitive Strivers have a special set of genes that leads them to process information more deeply than their less-sensitive peers. Because of this, they pick up on subtle changes in their environment.
Sensitive Strivers are driven to succeed and give their 100% to everything they do — all with an inner world on overdrive. Many are former gold-star students who bring that same commitment into the workplace.
Companies have created mission statements for years to explain why they exist and why they do what they do.
Google’s mission statement, for example, is “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” For Zappos it’s “to provide the best customer service possible.”
These manifestos affirm an organization’s core beliefs and values and solidify the business’ long-term vision.
A personal mission statement is much like a corporate mission statement: it describes your convictions, what you stand for, and how you plan to create a life that embodies your values. …
The Sensitive Striver
9 ways to overcome an internal job rejection
You were so excited when HR reached out and asked if you’d like to be considered as a candidate for an internal role.
You eagerly prepared for the interviews and were confident you crushed them.
Then the call comes…
You won’t be advancing to further rounds of interviews.
Job rejection is always difficult, but even more so when it’s an internal role. You may find yourself wrestling with feelings of imposter syndrome and inadequacy. …
It’s time to overcome imposter syndrome and own your strengths and successes.
What stands in your way of being taken more seriously at work? If you’re like many of the coaching clients I work with, then your first answer may be “myself.”
Whether you’re trying to advance to get a raise or promotion or become more visible and build gravitas, you need to talk about yourself at work. And imposter syndrome is often the number one barrier that keeps top performers from putting themselves out there and reaching their full potential.
Imposter Syndrome and Self-Promotion in The Workplace
Imposter syndrome leads you to doubt yourself and downplay your capabilities. You believe you’re not smart enough (despite your many accomplishments)…
