Elena V. Amber
on the Gift of Sensitivity as Emotional Capital
Sensitivity.
What power does it carry in your life? Is it a gift or a burden?
For Elena V. Amber, it’s something else entirely. It's Emotional Capital (EC).
An author, researcher, and founder, Elena V. entered the boardroom at just 24, not because she came from generational wealth or inherited a business, but despite having none of it. She is part of the second generation born in deportation and relocation under a regime that left no space for 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.”
She grew up surrounded by books and whispered ideas. New Age thinking passed secretly from hand to hand, stories of sacred cycles, emotional power, and the vastness of human potential. With a background in biology and psychology, Elena never imagined her path would lead to the top of the corporate ladder at such a young age. But it was the mirage of business that ultimately gave her the lens to recognize the gift of sensitivity, not as weakness, but as power.
Sensitivity, she says, reflects the depth of our emotional connections and opens us to creativity, originality, bliss, innovation, intuition, flexibility, and inclusiveness: “Emotions are our treasure. An innate gift that leads to emotional engagements that allow us to flourish. Being sensitive helps you to sense others, nature, and yourself with all the subtle, tiny nuances.”
We are all born sensitive. Elena never met any human being without the ability to feel. Yet, so many of us are emotionally frozen or disconnected, wounded, cautious, or conditioned to avoid the emotional zone for fear of pain: “We’re stuck in a paradigm focused on self-control rather than self-exploration. Why do we suppress emotions and limit our natural states instead of giving them an entire pathway? The tidal waves of past emotional baggage should be processed. They allow us to enter the fresh waters of emotional health.”
Elena believes we’ve heavily invested in self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-regulation, but too much focus on self, even with good intentions, has its limits. What we need now is a force for the common good: “Global emotional health will serve as the foundation for a regenerative economy. We need a triple win: for people, the planet, and universal prosperity.” True regenerative transformation demands authentic personal effort. Emotional flexibility helps feel, know, understand and, ultimately, become more.
Read Elena V. Amber’s answers for Inspirators and give yourself permission to awaken your dormant emotional wisdom: “There are lessons to be learned from the highly sensitive. Embark on the path of sensitivity and develop the hidden gem within: this unique ability not only to think but to feel.”
Thank you, Elena V., for being a Sensitive Leader!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Elena V. Amber
Company / Institution: University of Nicosia, Cyprus
Title: Author of “Emotional Capital for the Triple Win: 50 Innovative Ways to Lead the Consumption Revolution”; Founder; Researcher (sustainability transformations)
Website: https://elenavamber.com/
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenavamber/
Country you currently live in: Cyprus
Your definition of Regeneration: To me, Regeneration is the ability to renew, adapt to changing circumstances, and sustain the vibrant spark of life. Intricately linked to the fundamental natural principle of multiplication, the capacity valued from indigenous times, for example, as explored by Gary Urton in his work on Quechua ontology of numbers and arithmetic philosophy, “The Social Life of Numbers.”
Urton references two words: “mira, miray,” which denote reproductive force connected to the creative powers of “mama”—the origin of numbers and ordinal sequences—and “askhayay,” akin to multiplication, as in “from one, many appear,” such as the propagation of many plants from one seed or numerous potatoes from one, similar to numerical multiplication.
“Miray” refers to the pluralization characteristic of humans and animals—adult reproductive females—and serves as a basis for indigenous ideas about nature as a maternal source. Our role is stewardship, supporting reproductive cycles and maintaining regenerative boundaries.
Main business challenge you face: Today, any business faces the challenge of balancing traditional growth goals with new approaches to consumption, such as anti-consumption, sufficiency, minimalism, and voluntary simplicity. They are important to keep regenerative planetary boundaries.
These new consumption ideas question marketing’s usual role of driving demand by encouraging the purchase of material goods and services. Adam Smith famously stated that consumption is the “sole end and purpose of all production.” While this was true for the industrial age, in business, growth remains a primary goal, especially when entering new markets or expanding internationally.
Yet, researchers highlight that modern growth often ignores its impact on climate change and environmental damage. To address this, businesses need to explore innovative strategies that support regeneration because greening the economy helps, but won’t cut it and depleting the planet at a slower pace.
Shifting responsibilities between consumers, businesses, and governments keeps us stagnant. We need more connections and open dialogues, moving away from seeing each other from different sides of a wall. Businesses should stop merely selling and start building a future with their customers. This is possible via strategies revolutionizing consumer behavior; I share those ideas in my latest book.
Main driver that keeps you going: I view the collapse of the current system similarly to many others. However, this fills me with optimism instead. The current system placed our insatiable needs originating from psychological disruptions at its core, even labelling it as human-centred design. This fuels unlimited economic growth, leading to multiple environmental and social crises.
My first motivation is understanding that humans are not the center of the universe, necessitating a shift towards life-centered design. The second motivation arises from the opportunity provided by new insights. Our excessive consumption, driven by human needs to escape emotional troubles, seek social status, or fill the void of loneliness—often resulting in up to 90% of purchases being impulsive and unnecessary—can be addressed differently.
The current collapse offers an opportunity to create something new, where more people acknowledge regeneration as a foundation for new design and understand the boundaries we must respect. I envision the potential for many regenerative voices to be heard now, perhaps for the first time in ages, including those who view global emotional health as the basis for the new economy.
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: I feel fortunate to have been born a highly sensitive person, with the ability to perceive signs that others might overlook. Science suggests that people like me have historically used this trait as a survival mechanism, providing early warnings for their communities. This trait is evident not only in humans but also in about 20% of animals and birds. I often find myself in discussions about trends that few anticipate, allowing us to seize opportunities early or understand what motivates others.
Sensitivity reflects the depth of our emotional connections and opens doors to creativity, originality, innovation, intuition, flexibility, and inclusiveness. I believe sensitivity is accessible to all, and I share my insights in the book "The Gift of Sensitivity."
The trait you most value in others: Empathy. This is a tool for social cohesion, enabling us to form emotional connections with others. It extends beyond merely putting ourselves in someone else's shoes, as emotional intelligence suggests. Often misunderstood, empathy is an active force that compels us to respond to the emotions we perceive in others, revealing its true power. Emotional connection fosters care and mutual support, which is the foundation of our progress. This capability allows the use of emotional capital as a driving force for social transformation, which I emphasize.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: Life is a flow of information, and I find immense joy in understanding trends, hidden dynamics and driving forces. In social situations, nothing is more fulfilling than encouraging someone, whether it's to sing a song at a bar, brighten their day with a few kind words, or help to find the courage to start their own business. Personal development is a central theme in many of my discussions, and I regard life events as driving forces for it.
The Inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path: A decade ago, I became captivated by Edward R. Dewey's work.
Beginning in 1929 as an economic analyst for the US Department of Commerce, Dewey was tasked with explaining market crashes and authored "Cycles: The Mysterious Forces that Trigger Events." He founded the Foundation for the Study of Cycles, integrating knowledge from diverse fields such as history, botany, sociology, and economics. I have collected his works and early Foundation letters.
Dewey saw himself as akin to Tycho Brahe, gathering information to be passed on for future discoveries that cannot occur within a single generation. My current academic research explores natural capital and its regenerative capacity, inherently linked to cycles.
It is inspired by the connection between economics and ecology, drawing influence from the works of Daly. I also pay tribute to naturalists and ecologists like Gunderson, Holling, and Svante Arrhenius, who first identified in 1896 the link between economic growth and climate change through large-scale production processes. My latest book supports over 200 research voices!
A starting point for companies or professionals that are beginning the regeneration journey: Understanding the natural forces behind regeneration is not enough; we need to know what influences shift human behavior for it.
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you: A quick-fix mindset that promotes resilience. It is often seen as returning to a single point of nature equilibrium, where we bounce back to the familiar “norm.” This approach is useful for short-term changes that are temporary and will eventually pass. However, for long-term evolutionary changes, we must adapt and transform by embracing change rather than resisting it. Regeneration is a long-term force where resilience has an ecological meaning, with multiple states of equilibrium. We may not return to any known “norms” and must adapt to new points of balance. It's important to understand that investing time, energy, and resources solely in defense and prevention is a limited strategy.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: If you lost hope, congratulations - you are in a great place! Hope is important, but history shows that once we lose it, we stand up and take action. In these moments, we don’t need hope; we need precise knowledge of what we are doing.
Move, act, find the path forward—don’t get stuck hoping things will resolve themselves. No one will come to save you, a bitter truth and loss of hope, but you can stand up and do it yourself!
Books that had a great impact on you / Must-Reads for any regenerative professional:
This is a challenging question for me! My understanding doesn't come from a single perspective but emerges from various connections. My advice is to read as broadly as possible but also become the one who reads between the lines.
For a journey into regeneration, consider
· "The Biosphere" by Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky;
· "Small is Beautiful" by E.F. Schumacher;
· "The System’s View of Life" and "Tao of Physics" by Fritjof Capra;
· Any works by Herman Daly;
· "Really Blind" by Hagens;
· "More-than-Human" collection from Het Nieuwe Instituut.
In terms of human regeneration, don't miss:
· "The Origins of Virtue" by Matt Ridley,
· "Moral Sentiments" by Adam Smith,
· "Self-Regulation and Self-Control" by Roy Baumeister.
People involved in regeneration efforts often face emotional exhaustion as they lead the way, so I'd recommend books to maintain a positive outlook, such as
· "Human Kind" by Rutger Bregman,
· "Trust Factor" by Paul J. Zak,
· "Purposeful Empathy" by Anita Nowak.
My latest read was:
· "On the Origin of Times" by Thomas Hertog.
Movies / Documentaries you would watch all over again:
Certainly, those works that contribute to upliftment. To me, they inspire and remind us (without turning a blind eye!) of what we have yet to discover about humanity, such as:
• "A Beautiful Mind" by Akiva Goldsman,
• "Inception" and "Tenet" by Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas,
• "Lucy" by Luc Besson,
• "The Island" by Michael Bay,
• "Reminiscence" by Lisa Joy,
• "The 100 (TV Series 2014–2020)," and much of the early Marvel universe.
Websites / Podcasts you visit frequently: I recommend "The Great Simplification" with Nate Hagens, "Economics for Rebels" with Alexandra Koves, YouTube channel of Daniel Christian Wahl.
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: I need to process vast amounts of information quickly, so silence is my best friend. However, I enjoy jazz; other types are reserved for specific moments.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: Oh my God, our planet is amazing!
I have visited all continents and met so many people in my life, yet I am continually amazed by the beauty of this life's patchwork. I indeed have seen various corners of life including dark places. Yet, one thing I know for sure: there is no single place on Earth that is deadly bad, and this is a reason for celebration.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow: There are so many brilliant voices, difficult to prioritize, however, focus on three types of people: those who create regenerative communities and co-living spaces, those who enhance people's social skills (emphasizing trust as the currency of the future), and finally, those who communicate regeneration by forming emotional connections, rather than delivering patronizing messages like “stop greenwashing” and alike.
Trends in Regeneration we should keep an eye on: Global emotional health will serve as the foundation for a regenerative economy, and I intend to dedicate a significant portion of my time here. We need a triple win: for people, the planet, and universal prosperity. However, we cannot progress while merely surviving, and here's why.
During the industrial age, societal and business norms limited our traditional strengths, suppressing qualities like sensitivity, empathy, and emotional expression. Male sensitivity faced even greater challenges, being socially forbidden and shamed in favor of self-control. Many of us are emotionally frozen or disconnected, while others are vulnerable and wounded, often avoiding emotional areas linked to pain. Suppressed emotions can result in difficult personalities and various psychological traumas, some contributing to negative historical and modern events. Society has fostered rigid forces, prompting us to question why governmental bodies and corporate boardrooms hesitate to support communities or promote inclusivity for all.
This situation is not just about “them”; it involves us all. Some find the world fantastic, while others can barely cope. The truth is, how you perceive it will persist. If you find it harsh, stress, depression, loneliness, disintegration, polarization, and other challenges are likely. This could lead to ideas about “improving the world” or “enhancing the human race”.
Perception shapes our actions: on one hand, we can endlessly change the world according to our ideals of good; on the other, we can accept it and fall in love with reality. Perception heavily depends on our emotional states, just as our most important decisions do. My vision is a social transformation where individuals are emotionally empowered to move beyond consumerism and become responsible stewards of natural resources with long-term goals and solutions. Yet, sustainability transformations require personal efforts. Global emotional health, therefore, is at the forefront of the new regenerative economy. By fostering emotional flexibility, we aim to feel, know, and understand more, transform faster, and utilize more parts of our brain. When we are emotionally strong, we can make informed, sustainable decisions and help others.
The current crisis highlights the importance of mutual support. Businesses can pivot, stand with communities, invest in informed decision-making, and drive collective actions. Change will occur through empowerment, education, and cultural evolution. Sustainable businesses can lead with a unique asset for impact and social transformation: Emotional Capital. It enhances global emotional health through (1) emotion-based knowledge, (2) emotional management skills or competencies, and (3) social investments, which are active emotional practices fostering social cohesion.
I have discovered that our emotional capacity guides us toward freedom and well-being. While not everyone is born into wealth, many achieve financial freedom. Similarly, we can treat emotional capital as an asset in our lives and invest in it, fostering increased emotional vitality, empathy, sensitivity, resilience, inclusiveness, and a positive outlook on life. Therefore, I encourage you to own, grow, and apply your emotional capital for a sustainable future.
Events we should attend / Best places for networking (online or offline): I would focus on those that concentrate on social transformations because, without people, we can achieve nothing. Best of all, create your own spaces for others!
Impactful and relevant Sustainable Development or Regeneration courses or certifications: too many of them, check what reflects your true inner goals and where you feel connected even without a clear understanding of why – those develop us the most.
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: Life is not only what is seen; it includes the unseen too. If you sense it, you already know the force behind life is unstoppable. If that is the case, why shouldn't we join it in its play?
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: I have none!
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today: We need emotional capital in action, with leaders and businesses genuinely caring for people. Why would you listen to, follow, or engage with someone? Show me that you want to help, that you care for me and my loved ones.
After decades of focusing on leadership, even in emotional intelligence, we have heavily invested in qualities like self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-regulation. However, too much focus on "self," even with good intentions, doesn't seem to work. We need a force for the common good, fostering social cohesion and providing resources to help others, drive progress, and exemplify change. In other words, stop talking and start acting for the benefit of others. Showcase it, support those who do the same, and build a network of solidarity.
If you are a business owner, recognize that people in survival mode are not the ideal partners; instead, use every bit of time, energy, and resources to empower them. Aid their emotional health so they can breathe, feel alive, and keep moving forward.
The Inspirator(s) you are endorsing for a future edition:
Leaders of future generations!
Moein Nodehi with Biotonomy Academy (regenerative architecture),
Rutger de Graaf, Cities with Floating Urban Developments,
Elena Doms, CEO at +EARTH+, Regeneration Speaker,
Anita Nowak, Empathy Evangelist, author, speaker, podcaster, award-winning educator,
Oliver Dauert, Biodiversity Builder, Founder of Wildya.
Daniel R. Hires
The quote that inspires you:
Repeat it every morning, and I guarantee your mental health will follow.
“In madness, I thought I was the most important person in the world.” (John Forbes Nash)
Your quote that will inspire us:
