How Empathy Got Me to the Boardroom and Executive Path at 24

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I entered the boardroom at 24.

No, I did not come from a wealthy family with assets available for investments or a generation-based family business. Instead, I represented the second generation born in deportation and relocation under a regime that was not favorable to any possessions or capital. All I wanted was to feel safe and secure, ready to work 24 hours a day and escape to the world of those who valued science, technology, and knowledge.

Growing up with books and in an atmosphere of new age ideas secretly passed from hand to hand, books about yogis, the power of emotions, sacred cycles, and endless human potential, I dreamed about the opportunities that open hearts and minds could achieve for the greater good. Educated as a biologist and graduated in psychology, I never thought it would be a top-of-the-corporate ladder possibility for me at such a young age. The world of the rich and famous was just a picture, a cinema film you might enjoy on a Saturday night, and business was something related to it.

But life took an unexpected turn, and at 24, I ended up working as a sales director in a very commercial business. My boss was American and always had a translator during meetings or conferences. One day, she wasn’t in the office, and I got asked to step in and help with the translation.

This is how it all began.

The conference table was lined with dark blue jackets and collars so crisp and white they looked like they were made of sugar. A secretary was busy taking notes while everyone stuck to the carefully planned agenda. My English wasn’t the best at the time, so I could only translate summaries instead of providing full simultaneous translation. I focused on getting the key points across to both sides, feeling as nervous as if it were an exam where half the class might get expelled.

I was told to follow the commercial director after the meeting wrapped up. In his office, he asked me a ton of questions about what had happened, and I explained everything I could in detail. 

"How do you do that?" he suddenly asked. 

"I don't know," I replied. "I just get what they want and feel, and, more importantly, I can tell when they’re lying." 

"Would you like to help?" was the last question.

How it became possible

After that, I attended every board meeting despite my broken English and inability to provide perfect translations. The reason was simple: they started progressing in their negotiations, and their business actions finally started paying off.

A young mind full of enthusiasm and good intentions, I was determined to be as useful as possible, feeling inspired and proud with every "mission accomplished." Getting the chance to serve at a real board level felt like an open door for someone eager to build their career to its fullest potential. Youth, gender, and lack of experience weren’t obstacles—they were opportunities for fresh starts every time. 

I dove into the business, figuring out who it serves, what drives it, what directors are after, and how the whole operation runs. I picked up the tricks, uncovered the hidden corners, spotted the open opportunities, and got a feel for the subtleties of the corporate world. It’s a place that can seem bright and inviting on the surface but runs much deeper than it first appears. 

What made navigating these in-between spaces my unique strength?

I became an empowered empath.

Years later, when I first heard the term, I realized that our private discussions shared insights you wouldn’t find in any meeting anywhere else. They were about what really drives people, the emotions beneath the surface, and how to tackle challenges to get things done. We found success by balancing each other out: I was bold (and maybe a bit naïve) in suggesting the right moves, while my partner figured out what needed to be done once he grasped the situation. In a way, we were two people with our own goals, brought together by the drive to succeed in a world where others might have had the luck to get licenses or investments but didn’t know how to manage cash flow in the real market.

What does my story teach you, and what awaits you?

My story shows what’s possible when we recognize sensitive people and build connections that work for everyone. These individuals often stand out as natural helpers, eager to serve or quietly observing from the corner of your team. Bring empaths into the mix, and your initiatives are bound to succeed.

Perception and Communication:

Sensitive individuals have a distinctive way of perceiving the world, effortlessly recognizing patterns within complex systems and noticing meaningful synchronicities. Their intuitive nature allows them to uncover hidden meanings in events and situations, reading between the lines to grasp deeper realities. This heightened perception enables them to anticipate outcomes, understand emotional responses, and navigate social dynamics with exceptional awareness.

These individuals are often champions of inclusivity and diversity, demonstrating a profound sense of social acceptance. They possess an innate ability to see and nurture potential in others, using their natural charisma to inspire and motivate those around them. Their deep understanding of human behavior allows them to empathize with others and articulate the underlying causes of actions and emotions with clarity.

Many sensitives develop polymathic tendencies—not necessarily because they are geniuses, but because of their talent for identifying similarities across disciplines. This adaptability makes them highly effective in multidisciplinary projects, where they can seamlessly transition between fields and offer fresh, innovative perspectives. Their ability to connect ideas across domains enhances their versatility and problem-solving capabilities, making them invaluable in collaborative and dynamic environments.

In essence, sensitives stand out for their extraordinary perceptual and communication skills, which equip them to navigate the intricacies of human relationships and the broader world. Their unique insights foster creativity, empathy, and inclusivity, contributing to a richer understanding of the world and its complexities.

Decision-Making and Confidence 

Sensitive individuals approach decision-making with thoughtfulness and care, often taking extra time to weigh multiple factors. Guided by intuition, they seek a deeper understanding of their choices, ensuring their decisions align with their inner values. When a choice resonates with their sensitive nature and feels intuitively right, their confidence grows. Their unique ability to tap into a profound sense of understanding allows them to make insightful, non-linear predictions in areas like finance and beyond. For sensitive individuals, embracing the unknown isn't an act of blind faith—it’s a steady process rooted in a sense of resonance they can intuitively detect. 

A Passion for Justice 

Justice and fairness hold deep significance for sensitive individuals. They are quick to stand against inequality and injustice, driven by a strong sense of empathy. Their ability to perceive hidden dynamics and overlooked nuances allows them to uncover perspectives others might miss. By spotlighting the unseen and giving voice to the unspoken, they challenge perceptions and advocate for a more equitable and compassionate world. Their passion for justice often inspires meaningful change, fostering understanding and fairness for all.

Problem-Solving Abilities

Sensitive individuals possess exceptional problem-solving skills, particularly in social settings. Guided by their intuition, they effortlessly pick up on subtle cues, quickly identifying what is needed in any given situation. This innate understanding often allows them to uncover the most effective solutions to challenges. However, they may need to work on articulating their insights clearly and standing firm in their convictions when sharing their ideas with others.

Their unique talents greatly enrich group dynamics, fostering smoother communication and naturally diffusing tensions. Sensitive individuals are often driven by an insatiable curiosity and a deep desire to learn, connect with new people, and explore diverse cultures. This emotional engagement with the world enables them to adapt seamlessly to different environments while appreciating and valuing diversity.

With their intuitive problem-solving abilities and open-minded outlook, sensitive individuals bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to complex challenges. Their capacity to navigate diverse situations and understand cultural intricacies allows them to approach problems from unique angles, promoting greater understanding, collaboration, and harmony.

As written by neuroscientist Paul Zak, author of Immersion: The Science of the Extraordinary and the Source of Happiness

"When groups congregate, having even one highly sensitive person increases the group's effectiveness. Humans thrive on collective action, and sensitive people like being part of a group and will work to make the group successful. The empath's social nature guides others in improving health and happiness. For those of us who are less sensitive, there are lessons to be learned from the highly sensitive.”

If you are sensitive, reconsider what is possible for you and begin a journey to overcome vulnerability: the world needs you!

If you are not, embark on the path of sensitivity and develop the hidden gem within every human who possesses this unique ability not only to think but to feel. This helps to create trust—a currency of the future ahead of us. The world will be thankful.

That’s all for today.

We'll talk again in two weeks.

If these words were helpful to you, please share your thoughts with Your Emotional Capital Newsletter readers: we are happy to hear from you!

Find me on LinkedIn, Medium, Substack or a website. Send me professional inquiries at Kirkus ProConnect.

Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

1. The Gift of Sensitivity Book saves your precious time summarising 8 years of research & personal journey. Take a copy to discover your own sensitivity, transforming it into a superpower for a future with extraordinary faculties such as creativity, originality, innovation, intuition, flexibility, and inclusiveness in times of technological acceleration.
2. Your Emotional Capital Newsletter informs you with a mosaic of perspectives and insights on how emotional depth can fuel transformation, expedite learning, and activate greater cognitive capacities. Here, vulnerability meets strength, and sensitivity is recast not as a liability but as a potent asset.
3. Emotional Capital for the Triple Win: 50 Innovative Ways to Lead the Consumption Revolution reveals 50 innovative strategies to transform consumer behavior for a triple win: benefitting people, the planet, and universal prosperity. It is a groundbreaking guide for the next generation of business leaders, founders, and innovators. Available 24th June 2025.