Your brain is wired to be on the lookout for threats. That’s good and bad at the same time. The brain tells you there’s a tiger in the bushes and you react. That’s good.
But Sometimes It’s Bad
If you had a childhood where you had to look out for yourself or protect yourself a lot of the time, then you might see threats at work where other people see nothing. If your brain is wired to spot threats and your emotions are ingrained to expect threats, you may be seeing threats to your career where there are none. Except the ones you are manufacturing.
That’s Deadly
For a leader, a program manager, or a business developer, imagined threats can be deadly to your performance. You might overreact to nothing at all, and miss the chance to really manage something that actually needs you. All the time and emotion spent reacting to imagined threats can stunt your career just as much as real threats can. Leaders can’t afford that.
Everything Is Affected
Your career, your emotions, and the people you lead can’t afford the drama that comes from you fighting threats that aren’t there. You and the people you lead can’t afford the time and emotion you spend wondering why you don’t feel any safer, and going off to fight again, when it turns out you weren’t in danger in the first place.
Except Now You Are
Except maybe now you are in danger because of your overreaction.
Have you ever reacted to a threat that turned out to be nothing? Please leave a comment and tell us what you’re thinking.
Leave a Reply