Why High Sensory Leaders Are So Valuable

May 9, 2024
Hosted by Monique Daigneault

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Episode Description

High sensory intelligence — also known as high sensitivity, or sensory processing sensitivity — is a trait shared by 20-30% of the global population. And yet, misunderstood and wrongly stigmatized, it's one of the best-kept secrets in the corporate world, especially among leadership. High sensory intelligence is a form of neurodiversity, although it's neither a diagnosis nor a disability. It simply means our brains are wired differently. With that different wiring comes an array of superpowers — including empathy, intuition, an understanding of nonverbal communication and energy, an unusual ability to see both the big picture and the details, a high level of conscientiousness and high standards of quality, among others — that help leaders read a room, think strategically, and inspire and generate loyalty within and outside of their organizations. In other words, ideal leadership qualities. And yet, the trait comes with challenges, too. Research has shown that highly sensitive brains optimize for group outcomes rather than individual success. These leaders are driven, but they tend to prioritize everyone and everything but themselves. This is especially true for women leaders, given the way most of us have been socialized. They struggle with setting, communicating and maintaining boundaries. They may be afraid to say no. And while they’re usually willing and eager to advocate on behalf of others, they often lack the confidence to speak up for themselves. So they take on everything, they take care of their teams, and they work extra-long and extra hard to ensure that they get their own work done, too. Those with families then go home and do the same thing, without stopping to recharge their own batteries. Those without families are often too exhausted to have personal lives. All are on a collision path with burnout.

Leading with Intention

Thursday at 9AM Pacific on VoiceAmerica Business Channel

Challenges in the workplace and within teams is only increasing as companies struggle to transition to a post-COVID 19 remote work situation. These unstable times have stretched companies and their leaders beyond their capacity, and they do not know how to maintain a balance of authority, empathy, compassion, and assertiveness toward their coworkers, much less continue their own career trajectory. Leading with Intention offers support, encouragement, and tools to help corporate leaders address their personal shortcomings and emerge from these unprecedented times as well-rounded, self-assured leaders. The show focuses on execution - helping leaders learn how to improve soft skills, leadership competencies, and work-life balance. Most importantly, how to ensure that their organization is in alignment from the top down, including leaders and their direct reports.

Monique Daigneault

Monique Daigneault is the President and CEO of MD Consulting. She has been a trained executive coach since 2003 and, as an Accredited Master Coach, has logged over 3,000 coaching hours with corporate executives on six continents, in over 15 industries. Monique helps clients set goals, pinpoint the root cause of business problems, explore solutions, address workplace dysfunction, and implement sustainable and measurable changes. She helps clients unpack how their conscious and unconscious behavior impacts their leadership abilities. The outcome of her process gives them more acute insights about their workplace relationships and the ability to drive bigger change throughout the organization. By engaging in her proprietary process, Monique’s clients also build business agility, resilience, and influence. Monique is a survivor of childhood trauma, workplace micro-trauma, and has Complex PTSD. Despite that she has achieved seven business certifications, an Associate and Bachelor of Science in Management, and a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She is a contributing author of two self-published books, as well as the author of her newest leadership book which she is currently pitching to publishers. Monique has leveraged her traumatic past and made it her mission to shift behavior in the workplace and empower leaders to be more impactful and influential.

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