DISCovering You

Thriving As A Highly Sensitive Person

HSP; Temperament or Personality? Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

What if sensitivity isn't a weakness at all — but a personality trait that deserves a place alongside the Big Five?

In this episode, host Victoria Theriault explores the fascinating case for making sensitivity the sixth major personality trait. Drawing on the work of Dr. Elaine Aron, Dr. Lacey Parker, and other researchers, she unpacks what it really means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and why sensitivity may have been misunderstood for far too long.

Summer is here, so you know what this means… DISC as musical instruments 🎵

High D - Drums; boom, right to the point!

High I – Tambourine; give it a shake, it’s time to party 😊

High S – Harp; soothing, harmonious

High C – Violin; practice and precision

Which instrument sounds most like you?

The conversation shifts into something deeper:

What if being highly sensitive isn't about being emotional — but about processing the world differently?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

A breakdown of the three types of sensitivity: Low Sensory Threshold, Ease of Excitation, and Aesthetic Sensitivity
Why sensitivity is about processing information deeply — not being overly emotional
The difference between temperament and personality
How highly sensitive people experience overstimulation, empathy, creativity, and emotional processing
The research behind environmental sensitivity and sensory processing sensitivity
Why some psychologists believe sensitivity belongs alongside The Big Five: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism
How reframing sensitivity as a personality trait could reduce stigma and increase self-understanding

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by noise, deeply affected by other people's emotions, moved profoundly by music or art, or wondered why you seem to process experiences more intensely than others, this episode may help you see those traits through a completely different lens.

Because sensitivity isn't about being fragile.

It may be one of the most misunderstood strengths we have.

➽ Check out previous episodes for a more detailed background:

The Highly Sensitive Person Part 1

The Big Five

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 - Why Sensitivity Matters

00:20 - Meet the Host and Producer

00:41 - Mood Check In

01:53 - Big Five to Big Six: Sensitivity

02:35 - DISC As… Instruments

02:58 - What High Sensitivity Means

04:03 - Type One Super Sensor

07:05 - Type Two Super Feeler

10:02 - Type Three Aesthete

13:41 - Temperament vs Personality

16:47 - Four Reasons to Add It

18:55 - HSP Stigma

20:00 - Should It Be The Big Six

20:41 - Summer Hiatus But Season 5 Will Be Back in The Fall

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The Big Five May 26, 2026

Show notes

What do cheetahs, meerkats, elephants, and ravens have to do with personality?

In this episode, Victoria explores the Big Five Personality Theory — one of the most widely recognized personality frameworks in psychology — and how these traits shape the way we think, work, connect, and respond to the world around us. Through honest conversation, personal reflections, and a few surprising assessment results, Victoria and producer Heather unpack where they land across the five major personality dimensions.

Spring is finally here, so you know what this means… DISC as animals 🐾

High D – Cheetah: Fast-moving, driven, powerful

High I – Meerkat: Social, expressive, energetic

High S – Elephant: Loyal, supportive, relationship-focused

High C – Raven: Intelligent, observant, methodical

Which one sounds most like you?

The conversation shifts into something deeper:

Why are we wired the way we are — and how much of it is personality versus experience?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

A breakdown of the Big Five traits using the acronym O.C.E.A.N
(Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism)
Real reactions to personality assessment questions and results
How conscientiousness predicts workplace performance and leadership success
Why introversion isn’t about disliking people — it’s about energy
The connection between agreeableness, boundaries, and teamwork
How anxiety, worry, and emotional sensitivity relate to neuroticism
An exploration of personality traits through an evolutionary lens

If you’ve ever wondered why some people crave structure while others chase novelty, or why certain interactions drain you while others energize you, this episode offers a fascinating look into the patterns behind personality.

Because understanding yourself isn’t about putting yourself in a box.

It’s about recognizing the traits that shape how you move through the world.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 - Arguing Is Not Fun

00:24 - Show Welcome Mood Meter

01:36 - DISC Animals Segment

02:30 - Big Five Overview - OCEAN

04:10 - Openness Sample Questions

06:55 - Openness Scores Explained

07:59 - Conscientiousness Time And Punctuality

12:15 - Extraversion Introvert Nuance

14:29 - Agreeableness Vs Antagonism

19:12 - Neuroticism Emotional Stability

22:16 - Evolutionary Why Traits Exist

23:27 - Wrap Up And Next Episode Tease

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The Emotionality Factor Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

What does emotional intelligence actually look like in real life — not just as a concept, but in how we show up every day?

In this episode, Victoria dives into the Emotionality Factor of emotional intelligence and why it plays such a critical role in how we connect, communicate, and build relationships. With thoughtful reflection and real-life examples, she and Heather explore how well we truly understand emotions — both our own and other people’s.

World Book Day just passed, so you know what this means… DISC as books 📚

High D – The Secret of Secrets: Thrilling, fast paced, lots of action

High I – Heated Rivalry: : Romantic, sweet, exciting

High S – Theo of Golden: Unfolds slowly, listening & helping others are major themes

High C – The Correspondent: Told entirely through letters and emails. Strong focus on the written word.

Which one feels most like you?

The conversation shifts into something deeper:

How well do you read a room… and express what’s really going on inside you?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

A breakdown of the Emotionality Factor and its four facets: empathy, emotion perception, emotion expression, and relationships
Real reflections from emotional intelligence assessment questions
Why emotional “blind spots” can quietly derail communication and connection
How being misunderstood isn’t always about intent — but about missed emotional cues
Practical ways to improve emotional awareness, expression, and relationship-building
The importance of “the power of the pause” — responding vs. reacting

If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “That didn’t go how I expected,” or struggled to put your feelings into words, this episode will help you build the awareness and tools to navigate those moments more effectively.

Because emotional intelligence isn’t just about understanding feelings.

It’s about using them to create better outcomes — in work, leadership, and life.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 - Power of the Pause

00:59 - Show Intro and Mood Meter

02:27 - DISC Books for World Book Day

03:42 - Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in the AI Era

04:31 - Emotionality Factor Overview

05:17 - Empathy Quick Refresher

06:03 - Emotion Perception Quiz

09:14 - Perception Pitfalls and Tips

11:36 - Emotion Expression Skills

14:46 - Relationships and Trust

18:44 - Power of the Pause Revisited

20:03 - Wrap Up and Credits

If you're interested in learning more about team building, coaching, strategic hiring and onboarding, let's connect!

discoverwhatworks@gmail.com

Self Compassion Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

What does it actually mean to be kind to yourself… especially when things aren’t going well?

In this episode, Victoria explores the concept of Self Compassion — and why so many of us struggle to extend it inward, even though we offer it so freely to others. With honesty, reflection, and a few surprising insights, listen as Victoria unpacks how we respond to stress, failure, and the pressure we put on ourselves.

It’s Aries season, so you know what this means… DISC as Zodiac Signs (a little fun…)

High D – direct, driven and achievement oriented so the corresponding zodiac signs are: Aries, Gemini and Capricorn

High I – friendly, emotional and persuasive and the signs are: Cancer, Libra, and Pisces

High S – tenacious, kind and supportive so we have: Taurus, Leo and Sagittarius

High C – analytical, perfectionistic and detail oriented which matches up to: Virgo, Scorpio and Aquarius

Which one feels most like you?

The conversation shifts into something deeper:

How do you treat yourself when things go wrong?

You’ll hear:

A breakdown of what self-compassion actually is (and what it’s not)
A look at Dr. Kristin Neff’s research and self-compassion framework
Real reflections from taking the self-compassion assessment
The difference between tender self-compassion (soothing) and fierce self-compassion (taking action)
Why being hard on yourself doesn’t actually make you better
Common myths that keep people stuck in self-criticism

If you tend to overthink, push yourself too hard, or feel like you “should be doing better,” this episode will help you shift the way you relate to yourself — without lowering your standards.

Because self-compassion isn’t about letting yourself off the hook.

It’s about giving yourself what you need to keep going.

Previous DISCovering You Episode Mentioned: Mindset

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 - Why This Topic Now

00:32 - Show Intro and Mood Meter

01:51 - DISC Meets Astrology

04:49 - What Self Compassion Means

06:09 - Self Compassion Quiz Walkthrough

10:53 - Scores and Subscales

13:24 - Tender vs Fierce Self Compassion

15:41 - Benefits and Research Findings

17:31 - Myths That Block Self Compassion

19:53 - How to Practice and Resources

20:19 - Gender Roles and Open Questions

22:06 - Final Takeaway and Outro

If you're interested in learning more about team building, coaching, strategic hiring and onboarding, let's connect!

discoverwhatworks@gmail.com

Conflict Styles Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

What do sharks, owls, teddy bears, turtles, and foxes have to do with conflict?

In this episode, Victoria dives into the fascinating world of conflict management styles using the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI). With honesty, humour, and a little vulnerability, they uncover how each of them instinctively responds when tension rises.

The Academy Awards are coming up, so you know what this means… DISC as OSCARS nominated films!

High D – One Battle After Another: High stake conflict, intense energy

High I – F1: Fun, thrilling

High S – Hamnet: Familial relationships, emotional depth

High C – The Secret Agent: Layered details, deductive reasoning

Which one do you think will win?

The conversation shifts into something deeper: How do you actually handle disagreement? Do you power through it? Smooth it over? Walk away? Or try to meet in the middle?

You’ll hear:

A breakdown of all five conflict styles (Competing, Collaborating, Accommodating, Avoiding, Compromising)
How assertiveness and cooperation shape your reactions
Real-life reflections on boundaries, people-pleasing, and “Is this a hill I want to die on?”
Why no style is inherently good or bad — and how awareness gives you options

If conflict drains you, confuses you, or sometimes defines you, this episode will help you recognize your default patterns — and empower you to respond more intentionally next time.

Because understanding your style doesn’t box you in. It gives you leverage.

Episode Timestamps:

00:26 - Welcome and introduction to Discovering You podcast

00:45 - Mood check-in: Yellow (exhilarated) vs Blue (tired)

02:11 - Introduction to conflict management styles and Oscar-nominated films as DISC types

02:57 - Overview of Dr. Ralph Kilman's TKI assessment model

03:37 - Sample assessment questions walkthrough

05:31 - Revealing personal conflict style results

09:09 - Deep dive into the five conflict styles begins

12:00 - Competing style (Shark) - High assertiveness, low cooperation

13:54 - Collaborating style (Owl) - High assertiveness, high cooperation

15:25 - Accommodating style (Teddy Bear) - Low assertiveness, high cooperation

16:57 - Avoiding style (Turtle) - Low assertiveness, low cooperation

20:01 - Compromising style (Fox) - Moderate assertiveness and cooperation

21:29 - Discussion on win-win vs zero-sum mindsets in conflict

22:00 - Key takeaways: Using awareness to choose appropriate conflict styles

22:44 - Closing and credits

If you're interested in learning more about team building, coaching, strategic hiring and onboarding, let's connect!

discoverwhatworks@gmail.com

Leadership Traits Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

In this episode Victoria continues the exploration of leadership through the lens of the High Potential Trait Indicator (HPTI), building on the foundation laid in Part One.

The conversation focuses on three critical leadership traits: Risk Approach, Ambiguity Acceptance, and Competitiveness — how they show up in individuals, teams, and organizations, and what happens when these strengths are overplayed. Through real-world examples, candid self-reflection, and DISC personality parallels, Victoria and Heather unpack how leaders navigate uncertainty, make decisions, manage conflict, and balance ambition with collaboration.

The episode also introduces the concept of leadership derailers — the ways our greatest strengths can turn into liabilities when taken too far. By walking through common derailment patterns like perfectionism, aloofness, excessive caution, and passive resistance, listeners are invited into a practical and compassionate discussion about self-awareness and growth.

This episode reinforces that leadership isn’t about perfection or titles — it’s about learning how to adapt, evolve, and lead effectively in everyday moments, both professionally and personally.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Facilitating opposing viewpoints: why more than one thing can be true

00:00:32 – Welcome to Discovering You: Where Personality Meets Possibility

00:01:00 – Mood check-in and DISC color conversation

00:02:15 – Personal context and emotional awareness in leadership

00:03:00 – DISC explained through a football analogy

00:03:30 – Recap of HPTI and leadership traits from Part One

00:04:00 – Trait #4: Risk Approach explained

00:04:30 – High vs. low risk approach and DISC connections

00:05:00 – Why risk approach matters in leadership

00:05:30 – When high risk becomes a liability

00:06:00 – How risk approach shows up in teams and groups

00:07:00 – Personal reflections on risk tolerance and decision-making

00:08:30 – Trait #5: Ambiguity Acceptance defined

00:09:00 – Organizational culture and ambiguity tolerance

00:09:30 – Leadership performance under uncertainty

00:10:00 – The dangers of excessive ambiguity acceptance

00:10:45 – Real-world facilitation examples and collaboration

00:12:00 – Overplaying strengths and adaptability in business

00:13:30 – Trait #6: Competitiveness explained

00:14:15 – Healthy vs. unhealthy competitiveness in leadership

00:15:00 – Individual and team dynamics around competition

00:16:00 – Competing with others vs. competing with yourself

00:18:45 – When competitiveness influences participation and motivation

00:19:00 – Leadership derailment: when strengths become risks

00:19:30 – Overview of the 10 common leadership derailers

00:21:00 – Self-reflection: identifying personal derailment patterns

00:22:30 – Perfectionism, excessive caution, and leadership awareness

00:23:00 – Growth, coaching, and leadership beyond titles

00:24:00 – Closing thoughts and how to learn more

If you're interested in learning more about team building, coaching, strategic hiring and onboarding, let's connect!

discoverwhatworks@gmail.com

High Potential Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Are great leaders born—or developed?

In this episode, we explore the concept of High Potential and what truly drives leadership effectiveness beyond skills, titles, or experience. Using research-backed insights from the High Potential Trait Indicator (HPTI), this conversation breaks down how personality traits influence leadership capacity—and how those traits can be developed over time.

You’ll learn the difference between behavioral models (like DISC) and personality traits, how leadership potential is defined, and why most people have far more growth capacity than they realize.

We dive into the first three of six High Potential traits and examine how they show up in leaders, individuals, and teams:

Conscientiousness – the strongest predictor of leadership success, tied to discipline, organization, and goal focus
Adjustment – emotional resilience under stress and pressure
Curiosity – openness to learning, innovation, and new ways of thinking

You’ll also hear sample assessment questions, real-world reflections, and a discussion on why too much of a good trait can become a challenge.

This episode sets the foundation for understanding leadership as something that can be intentionally shaped—not something you either have or don’t.

Next episode: We’ll continue with the remaining three High Potential traits and explore deeper leadership insights.

In This Episode:

What “high potential” really means in leadership
Personality traits vs. behavioural styles
The six traits used to assess leadership potential
Why conscientiousness matters more than talent alone
How stress resilience impacts performance
The role curiosity plays in growth and adaptability
Why balance—not extremes—creates strong leaders and teams

If you’re interested in learning more about the High Potential Trait Indicator for leadership development, hiring, or coaching, reach out to learn more.

Let's Connect

discoverwhatworks@gmail.com

#HighPotential #LeadershipDevelopment #Personality #DISC #TeamDynamics #ProfessionalGrowth

Best of 2025 Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

As we close out 2025, we’re taking a warm, festive look back at the conversations, insights, and unforgettable moments that shaped this year on DISCovering You: Where Personality Meets Possibility. From deep dives into charisma and creativity to surprising reflections on emojis and empathy, this episode rounds up the clips that made us pause, laugh, reflect and grow.

Did we include your favourite episode or moment from 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear what resonated most with you this year.

Timestamps

00:00 — Opening + DISC as Holiday Drinks

01:00 — How are you feeling? Check in

02:00 — Heather’s favourite moments and lessons from 2025

02:30 — Clip 1: How nonverbal cues shape first impressions

04:45 — Managing “resting bored face” in real-life and Zoom meetings

07:00 — Clip 2: Empathy, discipline, and how others interpret our intent

09:15 — Heather reflects on responsibility vs. emotional perception

10:00 — Clip 3: Dr. Zorana Pringle on psychological safety and creativity

12:30 — How differing perspectives help Heather & Victoria grow

14:45 — Clip 4: The great emoji debate (and what it reveals)

17:45 — Clip 5: Emotional intelligence + Sandy Pentland’s MIT research

22:30 — Final reflections + holiday wishes for 2026

Resources Mentioned

Vanessa Van Edwards – Research on charisma, warmth, competence, and nonverbal cues
Dr. Zorana Pringle – Conversation on creativity and psychological safety
Sandy Pentland, MIT – Research on team communication patterns and high performance
Dr. Vanessa Druskat – Discussion on emotional intelligence and paralanguage

Thank you for an inspiring year of discovery, connection, and meaningful conversations. Wishing you a warm, restful holiday season—and we can’t wait to bring you more insights, guests, and laughter in 2026.

If you're interested in learning more about team building, coaching, strategic hiring and onboarding, let's connect!

discoverwhatworks@gmail.com