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Take the screening test →High Emotional Potential · 10 signs
10 signs of High Emotional Potential
Do you feel deeply attuned to others, intuitive, empathic, attentive to non-verbal signals, or often out of step with those around you? Here are the 10 characteristics discussed in my video, in the same order, so you can easily move between the video and the article.
Video in French. The article below is available in English.
The video covers the same 10 signs, in the same order as the list below.
10 signs frequently associated with HEP
Everyone has a different profile: you do not need to identify with all 10 characteristics. Their purpose is to help you consider the overall pattern of your emotional and relational functioning.
HEP is a descriptive framework
High Emotional Potential is not a standardised medical diagnosis. A list of signs therefore cannot “prove” that someone has HEP. A thorough exploration looks at how these characteristics fit together, their intensity and their impact on everyday life.
1) Feeling different from others. The experience of feeling different from most other people is commonly described by people with High Emotional Potential. They often feel unlike those around them. This sense of difference can lead to anxiety.
2) Emotional sensitivity. People with HEP often have a heightened emotional sensitivity. Some are even highly sensitive. They experience a particularly rich emotional life.
3) A sense of justice. People with High Emotional Potential are often particularly sensitive to certain forms of injustice.
4) Branching thought. The many neural connections in gifted people are reflected in a branching way of thinking: one idea leads to another, then another, and another. This neurodivergent way of thinking is particularly creative.
5) Empathy. Gifted people can often recognise what others are feeling (cognitive empathy), share those feelings (emotional empathy), and act accordingly (kindness). They are often very empathic.
6) Emotional self-awareness. People with HEP often have a nuanced awareness of their own emotions and a well-developed ability to understand them.
7) Intuitive thinking. Well-developed intuitive thinking is one of the foundations of emotional intelligence at a very high level. It enables an immediate, rapid and automatic understanding of certain situations.
8) Understanding non-verbal messages. People with HEP often have a strong ability to understand others’ non-verbal communication (facial expressions, body language and more), and to recognise the non-verbal messages they themselves convey.
9) Wanting to do your best and keep improving. In at least one area of their lives, many people with HEP try to do their best, keep improving or even do things perfectly. They often show a degree of perfectionism.
10) The ability to motivate others (leadership). People with HEP can often motivate others and encourage them to act, thanks to a good understanding of their personalities and responses.
Do you recognise yourself in several of these signs?
HEP screening can help you move beyond an impression. I personally review your responses to consider the overall pattern of your profile and suggest an appropriate next step.
Explore further
Depending on your question, you can start with screening or choose a more in-depth exploration straight away.
More articles about High Emotional Potential
What is High Emotional Potential?
HEP is a form of giftedness characterised by exceptional emotional abilities (EQ).
The best books for a happier life with HEP
Do you have HEP, or identify with aspects of it, and want to feel more fulfilled? Read, read, and keep reading!
HEP: 10 challenges…
What are 10 common sources of distress for people with High Emotional Potential?
5 problems that only people with HEP can solve!
5 seemingly impossible situations that people with High Emotional Potential can navigate and resolve!
Do you have HIP or HEP?
Do you identify more with High Intellectual Potential or High Emotional Potential?
Can you identify HEP yourself?
More and more people identify themselves as having High Emotional Potential. But do they really have it?
What gifted people dislike
The things that people with HEP and HIP dislike!
Are you a gifted woman?
Bright, passionate and different, gifted women often hide the qualities that make them distinctive.
