Sensitive creators at work

Abstract

Creativity appears to be important to both organisational performance and employee wellbeing but understanding of the individual differences that support the creative process is incomplete. High sensitivity of the nervous system - to both internal bodily states and external context – has been associated with creative potential in the wider psychological literature, but occupational research into sensitivity is sparse. Research that has explored sensitivity in the workplace tends to focus on the vulnerabilities of the trait, such as stress and burnout. This commentary paper calls for further research into the relationship between sensitivity and creativity in the workplace, which has the potential to inform applied practice in the context of both employee wellbeing and talent management to the benefit of highly sensitive employees and their employers.