I love our team!
There, I said it. And yes, it deserves its own paragraph.
At Sensory Intelligence®, we’re a powerhouse of four incredible women, navigating the world of sensory identities with passion, integrity, and care – not just for our work but for each other, too. We show up every day, bringing our best selves to the table, not only to deliver quality work but also to support one another through challenges.
But let’s be real – no team is smooth sailing all the time. Stress happens, emotions run high, and our natural sensory differences and needs kick in.
Sensory seekers (the leaves on our Sensory Tree™) want things to move quickly, thrive on variety, and get frustrated when processes slow them down.
Sensory avoiders (the roots) need structure, details, and time to process change, often applying the brakes when things feel rushed.
Sensory neutrals (the trunks) find themselves mediating between the two, striving to maintain balance.
The interesting thing about our team? We don’t have a trunk! We have two leaves and two roots, which makes for an exciting mix of energy, detail, drive, and reflection.
Here’s how we’re wired:
- Annemarie is the highest leaf on our Sensory Tree™, thriving in busy, active environments, loving variety and change, and getting cabin fever if she’s home too long. She moves fast, takes action, and brings energy to every project.
- Alison is also a leaf, but lower on the tree. She enjoys getting out of the house (our whole team works remotely) and fills her weekends with social activities. While she also loves variety at times, structure keeps her grounded.
- Kobie is a low-lying root, not too deep in the soil. She prefers calm, quiet spaces and loves working from home with no commuting stress. She’s steady, thoughtful, and keeps things running smoothly.
- I am the deepest root, drawn to detail and structure. I need regular alone time, take a while to adjust to change, and process new ideas carefully. I’m all about making sure things are well thought through before we move forward.
Enter George the Giraffe, our honorary trunk.
Born out of business challenges (listen to his story here), George is more than just a mascot – he’s our problem-solver, our mediator, and our comic relief when things get tough. When we get stuck in our own heads, George helps us shift perspective, ease tension, and find solutions together. He’s a lighthearted way to acknowledge our differences without letting them divide us.
We often say that South Africans are known for their resilience and sense of humour, and George embodies both. By introducing playfulness into tough situations, we can de-escalate tension, strengthen our team dynamics, and come out stronger.
At the end of the day, every team needs a mix of sensory identities. Instead of labelling colleagues who don’t think or work the way you do, let’s embrace the unique strengths we all bring. And let’s give the trunks—those adaptable, harmony-seeking team players – the respect and voice they deserve. After all, without them, who would help hold everything together?
Do you know your team members’ Sensory Tree™ positions? To simply make work easier, discover your sensory identities by completing your Sensory Matrix™.
