Sensitive employees proved to be more valuable than those who are stress-resistant.

Individuals who are particularly sensitive to external stimuli tend to experience higher levels of stress. However, they may also enhance the company's performance and be in greater demand compared to their stress-resistant colleagues. This conclusion was reached by researchers from Japan who analyzed the personality traits of employees prone to stress.

2024-11-06 10:00:50https://naked-science.ru/article/psy/chuvstvitelnye-sotrudniki

Many contemporary studies focus on the factors that influence business success and team effectiveness. Recent research identified the key qualities of a leader, examined how important it is for a manager to be ambitious, and explored what motivates individuals to work with tough bosses.

Experts from Osaka University in Japan concentrated on a professional trait known as resilience to stress and assessed the proportion of individuals particularly sensitive to external stimuli among working adults. The study's findings, which suggest that employees with lower stress resilience may be the most valuable to companies, were published in the Japanese Journal of Applied Psychology.

The authors of the article conducted an online survey involving 296 working adults aged 18 and older. They measured the stress resilience levels of the respondents and considered their personality traits, such as optimism and pessimism.

The results indicated that high sensitivity, associated with greater workplace stress, also correlates with developed empathy. This quality enables individuals to establish strong connections through attentive and considerate interactions with others. These connections are often essential for performing tasks effectively and creating a positive work environment.

According to the study, over a quarter (26%) of the survey participants were found to be highly sensitive. Given the representativeness of the sample, a similar proportion of individuals with low stress resilience may exist among all working adults.

“Our research showed that <…> a significant portion of employees may be experiencing heightened stress at work. <…> While highly sensitive individuals are more prone to stress, their elevated level of empathy can be a valuable asset for organizations, especially in roles that require advanced interpersonal skills,” the authors of the publication noted.

Researchers believe that company leaders should pay attention to their findings, as stress is considered one of the primary causes of employee turnover, job dissatisfaction, emotional exhaustion, decreased productivity, and even suicides. By understanding the role of highly sensitive individuals in business development and taking their characteristics into account, managers can create a supportive environment, retain employees in their positions longer, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the company.