Sensitivity

What helps you to work for the good of other people? For Ms. Ara Pizan, People and Purpose Coach and CEO of HRT People Solutions, Inc., it is sensitivity – a willingness and an ability to discern what is going on behind the observable behavior. Below she shares her experience and thoughts on it.

I once worked with a client who had a “problematic” team leader. She was too vocal in meetings, pushed back more than necessary, created tension in the team. Management felt frustrated about her behavior.

I decided to have a conversation with her. No agenda, no formal structure — just safe space for talking. When we sat down, I didn’t talk about feedback. I simply asked, “Kamusta ka, really?”

That question shifted everything. She revealed something she hadn’t told anyone at work — that she had recurring tumors, and it weighed heavily on her. She couldn’t focus, she was constantly anxious, and she was afraid she might lose her job.

She wanted to prove that she was still capable – and overcompensated. She became overly vocal, tried too hard to contribute, to be seen – the very behaviors that were misunderstood as resistance, as rebellion.

That moment reminded me of a core belief: behavior is often just a symptom.

Instead of “correcting” her, I helped her understand the root of her situation. We talked about how she could pace herself, about how she could be more intentional in her communication.

But more importantly, we talked about her health. I encouraged her to get medical support. I also said she should give herself permission to not have everything in control. To go with the flow, instead of performing out of fear.

Then I helped the organization see her differently — not as a problem to manage, but as a person going through something difficult.

For me, this is what my work is about. HR for me is not only about policies, discipline, or performance metrics. It’s about seeing people as a whole — individuals carrying unseen burdens, silent fears, and untold stories. Coaching for me is not about giving answers but creating space for truth to surface.

This is the heart of Hiluna, a mental health and inner healing program that I designed as a safe space for individuals and teams to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves. The word speaks of rest and calm—and in the middle of fast-paced work environments, Hiluna creates intentional moments where people can process their emotions, understand their inner struggles, and regain clarity and strength.

Because the truth is, people don’t just need to be trained — they need to be held, understood, and sometimes, gently restored.

But spaces like this don’t work without sensitivity. It takes sensitivity to notice who is quietly struggling in a room full of high performers. It takes sensitivity to choose curiosity over judgment. It takes sensitivity to respond with compassion instead of control.

And over the years, I’ve come to recognize that this sensitivity is not something I developed on my own.

It is a gift from God that allows me to see beyond what is presented, to feel what is unspoken, and to respond in a way that brings people back to wholeness.

I don’t always get it perfectly. But I try to honor that gift in every conversation, every program, every space I hold.

Because when sensitivity is used well, it doesn’t just resolve issues. It restores people.

What do you think is going on behind the behavior of people you’re having difficulties with? How can you become more sensitive to their hidden struggles?

Should you want to connect with Ms. Ara Pizan, you can reach her through arlynpizan@gmail.com or go to the website www.hrtpeoplesolutions.com.