Sensation, ressenti, émotion & sentiment
Michele Fattal • 19 avril 2024
« Il est toujours plus important de ressentir les choses que de les comprendre »
Jon Kalman Stefansson
Ton absence n’est que ténèbres - folio
Souvent considérés comme synonymes, sensation, ressenti, émotion
et sentiment
sont intimement liés. Interconnectés, ils représentent des différences.
La sensation est une perception physique qui se manifeste à travers les cinq sens.
Le ressenti est l’expérience liée à la manière dont l’individu perçoit quelque chose.
L’émotion est la réponse à une pensée, un événement.
Le sentiment, lié à l’émotion, représente une expérience subjective plus durable.
Nos métiers d’accompagnants accordent une large place aux ressentis, sensations, aux émotions et aux sentiments. Sources d’informations
importantes, guides précieux
lors des séances, c’est, principalement, sur eux que nous nous appuyons pour aider nos client(e)s à sortir de leur rumination, apaiser leurs tourments, trouver les réponses aux questions qu’ils/elles se posent et se mettre en mouvement.
Les ressentis impliquent une réponse émotionnelle qui guident les actions et influencent les prises de décision
ainsi que les comportements. Ils se manifestent dans le corps. Et le corps ne trompe pas. Toutefois, lors du processus d’accompagnement, l’individu va apprendre à les reconnaître, les décrire, les décoder, les relier à des expériences vécues avant d’arriver à les nommer.
Ainsi, en séance, il nous arrive souvent de poser la question : « Et maintenant, que ressens-tu ? » ou de partager « je t’écoute, je t’observe, et je ressens… » Cette question, ce partage font émerger une nouvelle information, suscitent prise de conscience et nouveaux apprentissages. Ils ouvrent l’accès à de nouveaux espaces encore cachés. Ils provoquent ce moment merveilleux « AHA ! »
Dans ma pratique de coaching, passer par l’art facilite la connexion de mes client(e)s à leur ressentis, sensations, émotions ou sentiments. Si, ils n’ont pas besoin de tout comprendre, ceux-ci viennent compléter et/ou transformer la compréhension intellectuelle d’une situation pour un meilleur alignement tête, corps, coeur, pour une meilleure prise de recul et rapide remise en mouvement
face aux nouvelles épreuves.
Often thought of as synonyms, “sensation”, “feeling”, “emotion”
and “sentiment”
are intimately linked.
While interconnected, they present differences.
A sensation is a physical perception that manifests through the five senses.
A feeling is the experience related to how individuals perceive things.
An emotion is the response to a thought, an event.
A sentiment, related to emotion, represents a more enduring subjective experience.
In our role as coaches and/or facilitators, we give a wide space to feelings, sensations, emotions and sentiment. They are sources of
important information
and valuable guides
during sessions. As coaches, we mainly rely on them to help clients move out of rumination, soothe their troubles, find answers to their issues and move forward.
Feelings involve an emotional response that guides actions and influences decision-making and behaviors. They manifest in the body. And the body doesn't lie. However, during the coaching process, clients will learn to recognize their sensations, emotions, feelings or sentiment, describe them, decode them, and relate them to past experiences before being able to name them.
Thus, in sessions, we often ask the question: "And now, how do you feel?" or say "I listen to you, I observe you, and I feel, I sense..."
These steps bring out new information, raise awareness and informs us. They help new elements to emerge. They open up to new hidden spaces.
They trigger that wonderful "AHA!"
moment.
In my coaching practice, using art facilitates my clients’ connection to their feelings, sensations, emotions, or sentiment.
If they don’t need to understand everything, those elements complement and transform the intellectual understanding of a situation for a better alignment of the head, body and heart, getting new perspective, and a quick re-engagement facing new challenges.

Every individual possesses a unique set of talents. These talents can be defined as natural abilities, strengths, or qualities that enable a person to perform, create, or respond effectively in different situations. Some are visible and recognized, while others remain hidden or underdeveloped. In everyday life and work, people rely on their talents, sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously. Observing how these abilities show up and are utilized is a crucial step in understanding one’s potential. Identifying hidden or overlooked talents can have an even greater impact, opening new possibilities for personal and professional growth. Accessing Your Talents Even when it feels like nothing is working, resources and talents are always within reach. They can be accessed through simple yet powerful practices: • Breathing to regain focus and calm the mind. • Moving the body to shift energy and stimulate creativity. • Changing perspective by looking at a situation differently, raising the eyes, or exploring another environment. • Expressive practices such as writing, drawing, or other forms of creative expression. These actions help reconnect with your innate abilities and reveal talents that may have been dormant. Developing Talents Recognizing a talent is just the first step. To truly harness it, it must be nurtured and refined. Development can include: • Practice and repetition: Regularly using a talent in different contexts strengthens its impact. • Reflection: Observing the outcomes of using a talent helps refine its application. • Feedback: Seeking perspectives from trusted colleagues, supervisors, mentors, or coaches provides guidance and new insights. • Integration: Combining talents with other strengths or skills amplifies their effectiveness. The Impact of Talents in Coaching and Teams In coaching, helping individuals identify, value, and use their talents consciously has a powerful effect. It enhances confidence, encourages self-trust, and allows people to contribute more fully in both personal and professional contexts. At the group level, the effect is multiplied. When individual talents are recognized and brought into collective work, they fuel what is often called collective intelligence, a dynamic where diverse abilities combine to improve team performance, problem-solving, and innovation. Ultimately, talents are not fixed assets. They are living capacities. By learning to access, cultivate, and apply them intentionally, individuals unlock their potential, teams become stronger, and organizations thrive. A moment to reflect Which of your talents have you been using consciously, and which ones might be waiting quietly for you to recognize and develop them? When facing challenges, which of your natural strengths have you relied on most, and which ones have you overlooked? How could intentionally developing one hidden or underused talent change the way you work or lead? In a team setting, which of your talents could contribute more to collective performance if you consciously brought them forward? Taking the time to reflect on these questions can help you identify untapped potential, strengthen your contribution, and inspire growth for yourself and for the teams and organizations you work with.





