Aaaaaggghh! Why We Freeze and What to Do About It

Описание: Why We Freeze in Tough Conversations (And How to Prepare to Stay Calm)

Today, Dawn talks about why people freeze or feel regret after difficult conversations, emphasizing that it’s not a personal failing but a biological stress response. She describes three mechanisms that can hijack our ability to think and speak clearly: The Surge (adrenaline) which triggers the alarm, the Lock (noradrenaline) which sustains hypervigilance, and the Fog (cortisol) which clouds thinking and makes it hard to respond well. Instead of blaming ourselves, she encourages preparing in advance by clarifying what you want from the conversation, coming in with a plan and tactics to re-center if things derail, anticipating negative reactions and practicing responses, and considering what the other person may need to be heard and what concessions you’re willing to make. With preparation, slowing down, and calming your body, you can keep conversations collaborative and avoid being at the mercy of these stress responses.

00:00 Why We Freeze in Tough Conversations (Intro)
00:45 Your Body’s Threat Response: Adrenaline, Noradrenaline & Cortisol
01:51 When Biology Hijacks Your Brain: Confusion, Panic, and the Urge to Escape
02:04 Don’t Blame Yourself—Prepare Before You Enter the ‘Bear Cave’
02:29 Build Your Game Plan: Goals, Proof Points, and Getting Back on Track
03:05 Anticipate Pushback: Prepare for Negative Reactions and Hard Questions
03:32 Keep It Collaborative: Hear Their Needs, Make Concessions, Stay Out of Conflict
04:09 Final Reset: Breathe, Slow Down, and Go Have That Talk