Thursday 11 September 2008

Sensitive Little Flower

Business culture has long thrived on cultivating toughness and rewarding those who are outgoing and gregarious. (Of course, these are not always the qualities that are obvious in my favourite Level 5 leader type, but more on that below and, no doubt, above).

Qualities of sensitivity are generally regarded as negative, limiting an individual's potential and having a detrimental effect on their sociability.

But what are we missing here? It is estimated that around 1 in 5 of us have highly sensitive traits. Their sensitivity can make them highly aware of subtleties in their environment, of changes that the less sensitive do not notice and of possibilities that can easily be overlooked. It can be an asset if used..and protected.

Who are the sensitive little flowers in your organisation and how can you unlock their potential.

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