There’s been a lot of talk at work this week about the first anniversary of the COVID lockdown. The funniest comment I heard was, “I miss conference rooms.” When that comment got dropped, I instantly related because attending a meeting is one thing. However, understanding the nuances about what’s happening in that room—like the unarticulated feelings behind the words being said or your role in a tense situation—takes sensitivity.
Are you shifting in your seat because leaning on your natural sensitivity seems too vulnerable? If committing to be sensitive feels awkward, change the reference. Call it “awareness” or “listening to your gut.” Whatever you call it, make sure you put it into practice.
Let me tell you about a time when a little sensitivity could have made all the difference.
I once attended a workshop where the speaker demoed a new tool. Head down, Jana jumped from screen to screen, quickly showing how to input fifty different fields. She was enthusiastic and knew her stuff, but unfortunately, Jana didn’t know what was happening around her.
I glanced to my left to see a few people checking their phones just minutes after she began the demo. I looked to my right and saw someone pick up their backpack and quietly close the door behind them. Jana thought having her facts in order was all that mattered. But she was so busy going line-by-line that she didn’t understand no one was listening.
As Jana finished her dense, dry presentation, my friend summed up the problem in just a few words. She leaned in and whispered, “She missed the mood.”
You may listen to the demo story and feel nostalgic for conference rooms. They were full of nonverbal cues—if you paid attention. But your next thought could be, Wait a minute—I don’t have any of those cues when everyone’s mic and camera are off. What am I supposed to do?!
Here’s the answer: Use your sensitivity by thinking like an airplane pilot. Pilots begin with a flight plan, but they check flight conditions and make constant small changes. Likewise, whether you’re at work or at home, you can connect with your inner wisdom to adjust in real-time.
Start with simple prompts such as:
* People aren’t interacting. Am I going too fast or too slow?
* Someone is struggling to make their point. What emotion are they trying to express?
* How can I end this disagreeable discussion on a high note?
Tuning into what is or isn’t being said is critical because it is how you exchange tension for ease. Forcing your point or trying to push other people into a “yes” is exhausting. Instead, use the soft skill of adaptability to shift as the conversation unfolds. That’s Work Worth Doing, the subject of our March series.
Here are three ways you can use your sensitivity to stay in the flow every day:
You may not realize it, but being sensitive is a superpower. So, if you want to stay ahead of the curve, don’t minimize what your instincts are saying—turn up the volume. That’s work worth doing!