Early Saturday morning, a sound radiating from the wall abruptly broke my slumber. Confused, my heart seemed to stop for a moment.

The sound was unfamiliar. It was something alive but had to be bigger than a mouse. I imagined something bigger, like a squirrel, as there was a ‘rolling sensation’ to the sound. I felt fearful even though I was clearly not in danger.

This experience reminds me so much of what I’ve witnessed in organizations when there is a change, like a person suddenly departing, money being spent on what seems frivolous when budgets are tight, or reorganizing that doesn’t make sense. Even return-to-the-office policies fit in that category.

Neurologically, our brains are wired to fear when something changes, even a minor change from the ordinary. It’s our biology protecting us.

When working with teams, I’ve noticed how individuals consistently contract or withhold when something changes, and they don’t know the ‘real’ why. I use the term ‘real’ because when people don’t know or suspect a lack of transparency, they make something up.

This creates conflict often hidden from leadership, preventing people from contributing their best.

What to do?

• Team development – not building – where people learn to ask uncomfortable questions and the walls of not knowing and distrust are collapsed.
• Recognize your fear disguised as resentment, anger, or frustration, and ask yourself if your conclusions are valid. (Most often, they are not!)
• Continue to master conflict!

By the way, that noise in the wall was a long-legged bug trapped in an upside-down conical lampshade – the lampshade acting as an amplifier!

Fear amplifies our negative emotions!

Don’t miss!
This Thursday’s Masterclass Topic:
Lead with Power and Grace for Sustained Performance
Info and Register Here

I’ll be sharing some things not previously shared!