High Emotional Potential
Understand HEP emotional functioning in more detail.
Explore →High Potential · HEP or HIP
HEP or HIP: what are the differences?
Do you recognise yourself in emotional intensity, intuition, feeling different and very fast thinking? HEP and HIP can share many traits, but they describe different ways of functioning. Comparing their similarities and differences can help you understand what characterises your profile.
Video in French. The article below is available in English.
Why the distinction is not always obvious
Many characteristics overlap. The aim is therefore to consider the overall pattern of how you function, rather than identifying with a single row in the table, before considering an assessment.
Similarities and differences between two forms of High Potential
Originally, only people with High Intellectual Potential (HIP) were considered “zebras”. Today, the term is no longer reserved for HIP. People with High Emotional Potential (HEP) share just as many “zebra” characteristics as those with HIP and can therefore also be described in this way. HIP and HEP are two neurodivergent ways of functioning distinguished by intelligence at an exceptional level. Here are the similarities and differences between these two forms of giftedness:
| HIP | HEP |
| Extremely high IQ | Often, IQ at a relatively high level |
| Often, EQ at a relatively high level | Extremely high EQ |
| Feeling different from most people, often very strongly and since childhood | Feeling different from most people, often very strongly and since childhood |
| Emotional sensitivity | Emotional sensitivity |
| Possible sensory hypersensitivity | Possible sensory hypersensitivity |
| Branching thought | Branching thought |
| Strong intensity, especially when passionate about a cause | Strong intensity, especially when passionate about a cause |
| An urgency to act | An urgency to act |
| A constantly active mind (their brain never stops!) | A constantly active mind |
| Can be a good leader | Exceptionally developed leadership: people with HEP can be very good at motivating others! |
| Highly developed intuitive thinking | Exceptionally developed intuitive thinking |
| Excellent memory, both short-term and long-term | A good memory for situations that triggered emotions |
| Empathy at a highly developed level | Exceptionally developed empathy |
| A frequent target for narcissistic manipulators | A frequent target for narcissistic manipulators |
| Strength: verbal communication (very high verbal expression and comprehension abilities) | Strength: non-verbal communication (a highly developed ability to understand and use non-verbal communication) |
| Strength: Logical reasoning | Strength: intuitive reasoning |
| Resilience at a highly developed level | Exceptionally developed resilience |
| A sense of justice | A sense of justice |
| False self: adapts to others to the point of becoming a “chameleon”! | False self: adapts to others to the point of becoming a “chameleon”! |
| Impostor syndrome: doubts about achievements and successes. | Impostor syndrome: doubts about achievements and successes. |
| Perfectionism, which can cause distress | A desire to keep improving and making progress |
| An independent thinker | Emotional independence and independent thinking |
| Adapting to others | Flexibility and the ability to adapt to new or unexpected situations |
| A need for change; quickly feels they have explored an activity fully; may become bored! | A need for change; quickly feels they have explored an activity fully; may become bored! |
| Low self-esteem | Self-respect |
What is the main difference between HEP and HIP?
Video in French. The article below is available in English.
The main difference between High Intellectual Potential and High Emotional Potential is self-esteem. People with HIP often have low self-esteem: they doubt their achievements and successes, and many feel inadequate. By contrast, self-respect is a strength of people with HEP. They feel capable and confident. They know how to respect themselves while accepting both their strengths and their weaknesses.
Can you have both HIP and HEP?
Video in French. The article below is available in English.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone have HIP and HEP at the same time?
Yes. HIP and HEP can coexist in the same person. The aim is then to understand how cognitive and emotional dimensions interact in their functioning.
How do I choose between HEP and HIP screening?
Start with your main question: emotional and relational functioning for HEP, or cognitive functioning for HIP. If you are unsure, a personalised review can help clarify the most relevant possibility.
Are you still unsure whether HEP or HIP fits you?
Personalised screening helps you move beyond an impression and consider which possibility best fits how you function. If your question is already well defined, you can also consider an assessment directly.
