HSPs are able to listen deeply and show great empathy for others, which is a huge asset for a life coach.
That’s a bold claim, but highly sensitive people can make it very easily best life coaches. I believe we are uniquely suited to help others see their gifts and what is holding them back.
While going through a coaching certification program this past year, I was told from my very first session that I was a “natural coach”. I think it’s because I’m a very sensitive person and that’s an advantage when it comes to training others. From deep empathy to intuition, I have skills and my strengths that come naturally to me which are beneficial when it comes to coaching.
And what is a life coach anyway? Someone trained to help you reach your full potential and achieve your goals. They are like a supportive friend and trusted mentor all in one. They help you identify your goals, hold you accountable, and provide encouragement along the way as you strive to become the best version of yourself. And when I see people achieve what they set out to do, it’s the most fulfilling feeling. That’s why I think the best life coaches are extremely sensitive people.
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5 reasons why the best leaders are highly sensitive people
1. They are great listeners and “go deep” in conversations.
HSPs are known for preferring intimate conversations over superficial chit-chat.We don’t do small talk: we don’t want to talk about the weather and celebrity gossip – more about what lights you up, your big life plans, and what it means to find your purpose.
While we may be overwhelmed in a noisy networking situation, put us in a one-on-one or small group situation where we can have a “real” conversation and that’s when we really shine.
Highly sensitive people are also great listeners. We listen not only to answer, but also to answer really hear what the other person is saying. We consider everything, we consider every angle, and of course we look beyond the surface and want to dig deeper.
These are all important skills to utilize as a coach, and I believe the following points play a role in why we listen so deeply.
2. They are super attentive and professional when it comes to reading.
HSPs are very observant and great at picking up—and reading the subtle signals—that people give.
This is called sensory acuity in the coaching world, and it’s all about being more aware of the details of your surroundings. When we look at things with heightened sensory acuity, we tend to see things that others miss. While this is a skill that anyone can learn, it comes naturally to HSPs.
We do it whether we realize it or not. In fact, brain studies have shown that a greater proportion of highly sensitive people use a brain associated with deeper processing of information while performing tasks – especially those that involve noticing subtleties.
Using your sensory acuity in everyday life can seem like you know something’s wrong when your partner walks into the room—lacking eye contact and appearing a bit stiff. It doesn’t have to be overt and they don’t even have to say anything for you to know there’s trouble in paradise.
I can tell you in a coaching session reading body language if the client feels empowered and on track, or low energy and exhausted, before we even begin. I use sensory acuity to determine when they have entered a trance-like state during hypnotherapy, whether or not they can actually tap into an emotion they want to embody, and countless other ways.
Noticing these subtle signs allows me to know how the session is progressing—if we’re on track, or if I need to check in and make adjustments, such as digging deeper into an issue or taking a different approach when progress stalls.
All this speaks one of the defining features of HSPs: depth of processing. We’re not just notice more than the other 70 percent of the population; What process all this information in a well-organized, big picture.
We integrate information, compare it with past and similar experiences, and look beyond surface appearances to see how things really are. Because of all this, highly sensitive people are often the first to see what needs to be done.
3. They are very intuitive; they often “just know” what to do or how things can turn out without realizing it how they know
Most HSPs consider themselves to be very intuitive; some would even say it’s like having a sixth sense. I believe that our heightened intuition comes from an awareness of the subtlety and depth of processing.
Think a HSP brain like a supercomputer – constantly scanning the environment and collecting data. And remember: this is more “data” than most people realize.
But the supercomputer doesn’t just collect data. A special script runs in the background, which we don’t consciously notice, but it constantly sorts (and interprets) all the information.
The “HSP script” then compares the new information with the past and makes predictions about the future based on what it sees. The result is that we often “just know” what to do or how things might turn out without realizing it how we know In fact, it’s intuition—and we have it, too.
Being highly observant and highly intuitive is a valuable skill to have as a coach. They allow you to get the most out of every customer session by getting straight to the heart of the problem and providing insights that others may miss.
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4. They are empathetic – your struggles are their struggles.
Sensitive people also have a natural sense empathy and keep the thoughts and feelings of others in mind in all we do. I know it’s very easy to put yourself in another person’s shoes and see issues from multiple perspectives – and I bet you do too.
When you can deeply relate to (and understand) where someone is coming from, it’s natural to be very empathetic.
One study I found it very interesting that HSP brain activity not only indicated stronger empathy than non-HSPs, but also showed more activation in certain areas. This suggests that they wanted to do something to act and improve the situation.
I have one now a common misconception that emotions make us think illogically. I have to admit when I started my coaching certificate I was worried that I might be ‘too emotional’ and ‘too empathetic’. I wasn’t sure how I could not only sit with someone through their struggles, but how I could stay calm and guide them through the healing process. I was afraid I would get too caught up in their pain and not be able to help.
However, this was never the case. I think this is because while we HSPs are very empathetic, we also have a deep desire to help others. So we can do it let’s wind down the dial of our emotions in order to effectively educate them on the other side of their pain. And when we do that, it comes from a really honest and compassionate place.
Even recently scientific thinking he put emotion at the heart of wisdom and I couldn’t agree more. Being highly empathetic is not a disadvantage at all; this is actually another coaching benefit for HSPs.
5. They are great at “holding space” and feeling safe.
The HSP’s ability to listen deeply, use their intuition, and show great empathy for others makes people feel safe to share. This ability to quickly build rapport with clients is a huge advantage for a coach.
If the client knows you are a safe person to share things with, they are more likely to open up and reveal what is really going on with them. When we are able to peel back the layers of a problem and really get to the root of the problem, deep transformation can occur.
It’s very common for me to be involved with someone who has never met me, doesn’t really know anything about me, and still feels safe to dive into it. sharing some deeply personal struggles. Afterwards, they often say that I felt like an old friend, and that it allowed them to be brutally honest not only with me, but with themselves.
Our calm, sensitive behavior can really help the client to develop his own strengths and increase their self-confidence as a result.
With great power comes great responsibility
If you are a highly sensitive person, you may be uniquely suited to help others see their gifts and what is holding them back. HSPs are intuitive, empathetic, good listeners, considerate, and feel safe opening up and sharing. I believe that as life and success coaches we can offer something special because of ours able to deeply feel another person’s pain without turning away from it.
It’s also safe to say that you probably cursed your sensitivity at some point and wanted to wish it away. It can be difficult to be highly sensitive and manage the demands of work and life while striving for success. However, if you use what makes us different instead of fighting it, you can find your true purpose and help those around you to do the same.
In this chaotic world, we have to find a balance in our lives. This is easier said than done, but when we learn how to create an environment that promotes the health and happiness of ourselves—and those around us—it’s a powerful thing!
Julie Lowe is a highly sensitive introvert and entrepreneur who has successfully helped thousands of online coaches and consultants grow their businesses over the past decade. SociallyAligned.com.
