Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/338116 
Year of Publication: 
2026
Series/Report no.: 
IU Discussion Papers - Human Resources No. 2 (March 2026)
Publisher: 
IU Internationale Hochschule, Erfurt
Abstract: 
Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) describes individual differences in how strongly people respond to sensory and emotional information in their environment. Individuals high in SPS are often referred to as Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) and tend to be more susceptible to both supportive and unsupportive environments. SPS is associated with greater depth of processing, emotional reactivity, sensitivity to subtle stimuli, and susceptibility to overstimulation. To examine how this trait relates to leadership, this study explored the experiences of seven HSPs through qualitative semi-structured interviews and interpreted the data with reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were constructed: (1) SPS as a leadership resource, (2) navigating misaligned leadership norms, and (3) experience, understanding, and regulating SPS in leadership. The findings provide insights into how HSPs perceive and manage sensitivity in leadership roles and suggest that SPS may function as a leadership resource when supported by favorable environmental conditions, self-acceptance, and effective coping strategies. This research contributes to the emerging literature on SPS in leadership and highlights the need for greater awareness and organizational support for highly sensitive leaders.
Subjects: 
Sensory Processing Sensitivity
Highly Sensitive Person
Leadership Experiences
Differential Susceptibility
Coping Strategies
JEL: 
M12
D91
M14
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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