[00:00:02] Speaker A: Welcome to the Business Miracles podcast. I'm Heather Dominick, founder of Businessmiracles.com comma and author of the book the highly sensitive Leadership Revolution.
[email protected] since 2010, I've been training highly sensitive entrepreneurs and leaders from around the globe to work less while making more impact and income by doing things differently. I'm so glad you joined me. Listen in and get ready. Get ready for a shift in the way you view yourself, your work, your life. A Business Miracle.
[00:00:39] Speaker B: This is a course in Business Miracles podcast. Episode 168, highly sensitive leadership as a professional part one featuring highly sensitive leader Jennifer Ricards in this special three part episode series, you'll be hearing wisdom and insights from me, as well as hearing from select highly sensitive leaders from the business miracles community who are currently creating more impact and more income within a more traditional professional role and all the ways with which they are able to apply their highly sensitive leadership skills skills to craft a business, a career, a professional journey in a way that works best for each of them.
I absolutely could not be more delighted, more delighted to be connecting with Jennifer Ricard, who is CEO of re management and executive vice president of Cynosure help. I have personally had the honor of mentoring intimately Jennifer seeing Jennifer make the huge shift from constantly feeling stressed out, frazzled, and doing work that she didn't so much enjoy because she struggled so much with advocating for herself and communicating her needs to truly embracing, honing, and using her highly sensitive leadership skills to empower herself and work in a way that brings her joy and fulfillment, all while also positioning herself to create jobs and provide opportunities that allow and empower others to also have more work life balance as well. Jennifer is, in my opinion, the walking, talking embodiment of all that is highly sensitive leadership. Jennifer, welcome to the business Miracles podcast.
[00:02:56] Speaker C: Thank you, Heather. You know, I'm a member of your program and also a podcast listener, so I feel like I'm in the podcast hearing that introduction, so it's a little surreal.
[00:03:07] Speaker B: Well, I love hearing that you listen to the podcast, even as a business miracles community member.
Let's start just by touching a little bit more on that kind of stressed and frazzled and doing work that you didn't enjoy, because I just have a sense that there's other listeners who definitely can identify and relate. So anything that would be helpful for you to share about that part of your journey and maybe even what has shifted since then?
[00:03:42] Speaker C: Yeah, it's interesting to look back on it because I feel like when you are stressed and frazzled, you don't have a lot of perspective on the situation that you're in. But I look back often to maybe a way I used to work or I think that I used to travel with this schedule and how in the world did I do it? And I remember how stressed out I was, or there were weeks I wasn't home and I couldn't take out my trash, and that was the end of the world. So at the time, it was just what I thought. You know, everyone did. And I work in the healthcare industry, and people do work a lot of hours, and it's kind of just what you do. You know, you go to school, you get a career this way, and, you know, it might not be so enjoyable now, but you have to work your way up and put in those long hours and work hard, and I. Everything will flow from there. But I think actually what was happening was I was working myself farther down the stress and traveled path.
I don't know if others in my life or in my work life picked up on it. Like, did they know what was going on or did they think I was happy in my role and it worked. I don't know. I think it worked for them, right. That I was overworking and doing good work, but at a very high cost to myself, you know, my personal relationships with people in my life, my family and that kind of thing.
[00:05:12] Speaker B: Right, right, absolutely. And I think that's a beautiful description, or maybe accurate is a better word, accurate description of kind of more of like that corporate path, right, where you deny yourself, you disconnect from yourself. Maybe you even just completely lose track of yourself. And, you know, again, as I shared in the introduction, I really, you know, you and I have done some deep, intimate mentoring together, and I've really watched and witnessed your transformation. It's really been truly incredible to take more ownership of the way that you show up, you know, in your work life again. We've, you know, we've been through so much on a journey together, but is there maybe either, like, one moment that felt like a turning point for you or maybe one teaching or training that was really imperative and supportive to help you really begin to, like, turn that corner, make that shift, be willing to show up and be within your professional life differently?
[00:06:29] Speaker C: Yeah, a lot of them. But if I think of a few, I think, you know, the first one that maybe open the door crack and let the light in is your concept of time off on and in your business.
[00:06:45] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:06:45] Speaker C: So, you know, there's time off that I think a lot of people would associate, like your vacation time, your PTO in the traditional setting. But you really go beyond that, that time off, restorative time for you, time on your business. That might be someone doing a website, or if you're in a traditional setting, maybe you're doing your resume or your LinkedIn profile.
[00:07:08] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:07:10] Speaker C: And then in your business is actual.
So I get that mix up in your business is actual hours building. I'm looking for a client. I'm doing something like that in my setting. And that is where I started to kind of be like, oh, well, I don't.
My time off was like folding laundry, you know, and that is meditative. But, like, I started to realize, like, I don't really have that. And I was so far off track, you know, this, that it was like I was so out of touch with, how do I even relax? What do I even want? But I started to just kind of see how off I was, you know, and started to have the intent of, let's work towards something that's more balanced.
[00:07:52] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:07:53] Speaker C: Yeah. And then from there, a lot of it was really speaking up for myself in a way that made sense to me. So that's your difficult conversation training.
I was just so bad at that. So, you know, in a corporate setting, I am a corporate or professional. You know, a traditional setting is probably the best way to put it. I didn't even know how to have a conversation of, like, I need time off in the near future. So I'm just so nervous about having the conversation that I really wouldn't bring it up until the last minute, you know, and then I would think, oh, my gosh, my boss or manager must think that I'm the biggest flake because they think I'm just bringing this up. Like, I want vacation time in two weeks. But really, I've been stressing about it for six months of how to talk to them about it, which sounds pretty good, but I really was doing that.
So how do I have that conversation in a way that's true to myself and makes sense in a traditional setting?
So I started to do those types of things, and there were a lot of assumptions I had that my manager might be upset or I won't get the time off. And most of those were just not true most of the time. Again, with your training. It was like, oh, great, well, where are you going? And, like, I hope you have a great time and how can I help? Or things like that would start to unfold and connect the dots for me of, like, oh, I never even realized I could do that. Or be able to handle that type of a conversation.
[00:09:18] Speaker B: Right. Oh, my gosh, I'm so grateful that you're willing to give that example. I think that is the example of waiting until the last minute.
So that really speaks to, like, our highly sensitive shadow of analysis, paralysis. Right. The way that procrastination can show up. And what I really appreciate about your willingness to share is it really demonstrates that adds to the stress, right. That adds to that sense of being frazzled, that it isn't so much about what environment or setting highly sensitive is in, whether that be a traditional professional setting, a business, or, you know, even within one's family or personal relationships. It's about how we are showing up. And the reason why I appreciate this so much is because, you know, with a lot of kind of teaching and coaching that's out there around highly sensitives, a lot of it is about, like, how to protect yourself. Right. And I feel like that's often misunderstood, misinterpreted. And highly sensitives tend to then shrink back and make their world smaller versus, as you so beautifully described, like, learning how to show up differently, have a difficult conversation, conversation in a way that is supportive for yourself and then being able to work with the exchange of whoever it is that you're talking to. And this example is like, oh, I don't have to wait till the last minute to talk about a request for time off. I can actually show up differently. Now, you have traveled so far from, like, those moments and that example, and now you are, you know, in a very high level position within a very traditional setting and a setting that maybe most might not equate with being highly sensitive.
You're in healthcare, you have interactions with government, and yet I watch you show up as a leader in this environment and using your highly sensitive strengths, which you possess very deeply, such as intuition, such as empathy, deep listening, being able to manage a complicated team.
So I'd love if you're able to share just a little bit about what that's like for you, really to not only hold on to, but hone your highly sensitive leadership skills within a setting that many probably would think again, oh, I have to shrink back. I have to hide who I am, not use these skills. But instead, you've really leaned in and. And created some incredible impact. Anything around that, that you could share.
[00:12:42] Speaker C: For others to share. I think the first one to connect to your point of protection is that, I mean, I guess that sounds kind of like an HSP's dream. Like, I just like to live in a little cell and you know, and I'm an introvert. I just like to lock myself in my house and never go outside.
But it's almost counterintuitive and it can do damage to you, probably even more so than the other parts. So I'm grateful for your teachings because I don't think anyone at their heart really wants to disconnect and protect in that way.
I do think people are seeking connection and I think that there's one. If there's one thing that I did, maybe I swung in the opposite direction. You know, as I was starting to learn more about the traits that I have and how they pop up, I kind of felt like everyone now is so different and I'm so different and how would they ever understand me or understand the way that I work or the way that I think? But, you know, they may, everyone's different and they may very well operate differently and think differently, but they're not so different that a lot of the strength that NHS brings to the work setting wouldn't be appreciated. So there's a lot of times that I think that the team isn't going to understand something or it's going to sound really weird. Usually the opposite happens. If it's like, you guys can tell me if I'm crazy, but this is my idea or this is what I'm seeing. And I thought, you know, maybe we should do this. Usually the response is, oh, thank God you said that, because, you know, I've been really stressed and I thought of the same thing or I might not get an immediate reaction, but maybe the next day it's like, you know, I thought about that overnight and I really connected the dots and I see that. So it's been received positively for me. And so I think that one aha. Is that we all play a unique role, whether you're independent or you're part of a team. So for me it's been really important to see that I do have a unique role as myself as well. So I need to show up as myself and it's very rewarding to contribute to a team or your business or whatever that looks like for you and know that you're authentic in your role, you know, in that space and that. And everyone's is different, just like, you know, a family or something, but you're still needed in that way.
[00:15:08] Speaker B: Oh my gosh. Beautiful. Absolutely.
That makes me think of and remember back to when you were first stepping into this environment that you currently work in the professional setting. And I think it's also valuable to speak to like that. You work as a consultant, right? So you've created this beautiful space where you're part of a traditional setting. You're part of, you lead a team, but you also have an element of independence that speaks to that highly sensitive entrepreneur part of yourself. So it's this gorgeous cultivation of. It doesn't have to only look one way.
That's kind of an aside. What I really meant to speak to was, I remember when you first really took this position, you took this contract, you stepped into it, and you and I had some real direct mentoring conversations about showing up as that unique, highly sensitive, essential self. And I remember sharing with you, like Jennifer, like, you have specific strengths that are really going to be utilized and make such a difference within this setting. You did what needed to be done. You showed up. You continue to do what needs to be done to continue to show up. And your strengths have really been honored and you been rewarded as you do. But what I'd like to speak to is that moment where you had to make that decision to show up as your authentic self. And the reason why I'd like to speak to that is because I just have a sense, you know, others are listening and they might be thinking, feeling, yeah, that sounds really great, but that's so scary, right? Like, how do I do that? So if there's anything that you can recall from that moment when you did make that decision and many times you've had to make that decision since, what has helped you to be able to do that?
[00:17:38] Speaker C: Yes, that's a great question. And I'm thinking through the multiple pieces of that. So I would say the first is, like, I have gotten it wrong in smaller ways, probably before this role and contract. So, you know, there's been times in my life where starting out, I might have, you know, gotten really excited about the fact that I'm HSP and said, you know, in a work setting that, like, oh, well, I'm going to, you know, maybe I do retreat. I'm going to retreat. And it's for age of peace and, you know, all about, I'm so excited. And they were kind of like, uh, you know, they didn't really know what to do with that, and they're supportive. But I honed that energy over time in a way that I'm honest, but I'm also authentic with them. So what I might do differently now is explain the traits of HSP. You know, so, for example, if someone asked me for something directly in a meeting, I might say, you know, my brain's a little different. I kind of have to let it soak in and can I get back to you tomorrow, or do you need something right now? I don't say, oh, my brain's different because, you know, my nervous system and sensory perception is so crazy. And did you know that 20% of the population is this way and, you know, all this stuff?
And, you know, through your mentorship, there's a lot of work behind the scenes that leads up to that moment, so that I'm going into it energetically in the right space. So you have a lot of tools that help.
The oftu is one of them, and people, I'm sure, can read about that on your website, but the other is that you really encouraged me to track some of those insights that I was getting. So, you know, maybe during a meeting, I might say in my mind, this isn't gonna work. But I would never say that because I couldn't explain it on the spot because my brain works that way and it's just a little different.
But I would write down, you know, August 17, this meeting, not going to work, this reason, and then I would just let things play out and track, like, what happened? It didn't work. Oh, well, you know, and I might have another insight. This person is not getting along with this person, and their project's just not going to work. What happened? You know, and I started to gain confidence that, like, Heather, what you were reassuring me about Washington. True. Or, you know, I'm 85% right. So why am I not speaking up in, you know, service of the team? So then I could come to that, you know, point being energetically in the right space, giving that background of, you know, I've had these, you know, insights or this nudge that, like, maybe these two people aren't working well together. And again, like I said before, usually the response is, I'm so glad you mentioned that, or, oh, I never realized that, or I'm not seeing it. Can you say more? And then usually the people will see it, or it might take some time for people to see it, but the tracking really helps me see, you know, there's nothing magical about it. It was just literally saying that, like, you are right on track with your insights. So why aren't you speaking up about them?
[00:20:46] Speaker B: Amazing. Really amazing. So amazing. Because I hear you really speaking to and even, like, just breaking down the process.
[00:20:56] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:20:57] Speaker B: Right. And that's so valuable because I feel so often that many of, again, kind of like the teaching or the coaching that's out there around being an HSP. Is it's framed as all or nothing. Right. And you just so beautifully described the process of learning. Oh, I don't have to educate every single person everywhere I go.
And it also isn't about holding back and not saying anything and it also isn't about, I'm going to make a decision and then it's all going to change overnight.
But actually, like, the ways that you walked yourself through and as you said, you know, and we had covered in mentoring and using a tool like tracking to support yourself in honing not only the strengths but the courage of conviction to use your voice.
[00:21:58] Speaker C: Yeah, yeah.
[00:21:59] Speaker B: Use your voice to authentically share from your highly sensitive strengths, but also to very clearly and directly share.
And that's amazing. That's so powerful and so empowering.
Yeah.
[00:22:18] Speaker C: And it is scary, too, because the ideas are usually sounding a little out there to me. So I think when you were reassuring me, it was like, heather, people are never going to go for this if I say this, but that hasn't been the case. And I'm also open, too. So I'm also open to, like, if I provide some feedback and it's not taken, there's grace to let the team have a learning experience or that I may be wrong and let me look and see, you know, why that was off or my timing was off, that I was right for this point in time but not long term or something like that. So I'm coming with energy that's very in integrity with myself and then, you know, whatever project or company that I'm working with.
[00:23:02] Speaker B: Absolutely. Again, what you just described, that is highly sensitive leadership. Right.
Those strengths that we have to be able to empathize with others, to deeply listen to others, to be in integrity of a deep level of conscientiousness and use them all in contribution within a traditional setting to move a very significant type of project forward, you know, which really speaks to the impact part and how by you being willing to do the work that you do in the leadership training program, show up in the way that you show up, you're influencing others, your team, and the way that they are able to see you. So as a model and then also through your own demonstration. So they can then benefit. They might not be highly sensitive themselves, but they can benefit and then they can consider, oh, it doesn't have to be just this, you know, one way of work yourself to the bone to climb the corporate ladder, but we can actually advance and move things forward. And I can have a sense of self and a sense of life as well. And that's amazing, Jennifer.
[00:24:25] Speaker C: It is. Surprised. I'm still shocked, you know, all the time I'm like, I can't believe I used to work that way or, you know, how did I live this long? Have a major health breakdown, you know, when I was operating out of that breath grappled mode.
[00:24:40] Speaker B: Right? Yeah. Amazing. So I'm sure some listeners are just going to be so interested to kind of, you know, find out more of what Jennifer Ricard is up to and doing in the world. Would you like to share a way that people can get in contact with you and find out more?
[00:24:58] Speaker C: Sure. Yeah. I think the best way is to find me on LinkedIn so you can just look at the probably the podcast notes for spelling of my name, Jennifer Ricard. I think it's a good example. It's not super polished, it's not up to date. You know, it is what it is. Find me there and connect with me and send me a message. I'd love to hear from you.
[00:25:15] Speaker B: Amazing. Amazing. Yeah, we'll make sure all of that gets into the show notes. So thank you so much. Thank you for first and foremost, your commitment to highly sensitive leadership training, for bringing your leadership training, but most importantly, your genuine, highly sensitive leader self out into the world in a more traditional setting. And thank you for being willing to share all of it or parts of it. A little snapshot is probably a better way of saying it with all of us here today. Thank you, Jennifer.
[00:25:50] Speaker C: Thank you so much, Heather, it's been a pleasure.
[00:25:53] Speaker B: Amazing. And for those of you who are listening, thank you. Thank thank you for being a part of the Business Miracles podcast. Until next time.
[00:26:07] Speaker A: Thank you for being a part of this business Miracles podcast episode and for beginning to dip your toe into the journey of highly sensitive leadership training. If you are ready to truly use your sensitivities as strengths in all parts of your work and life, I invite you to connect for a one on one chat. You will experience being deeply listened to and together we'll get a sense of whether the highly sensitive leadership training programs are the best next step for you and your highly sensitive journey. At this time, just go to www.claritycall.com to schedule a conversation. We so look forward to connecting with you. Talk to you soon.
