Ataraxy Friday: Are they clear?

Throughout human evolution, knowing where you were mattered. Having confidence in your surroundings, knowing what to expect and how to navigate it was fundamental to survival.

If your people are stressed, stuck or frustrated, it is often due to inability to navigate in some key area of concern.

• Can they solve the problem in front of them?
• Do they have the skills, resources and support they need?
• Do they even know what is expected of them??
• Do they believe that is even achievable?
• Is there too much change to be able to navigate wit confidence?

Anyone of those is enough to initiate stress-based reactions that show up in reasonably predictable ways

Micro-managing for instance, is often an attempt to get control and enough information to feel confident [but it’s never enough]: “I need to know the details, need to check we’re making progress and not going off track.”

Absolute, aggressive, or demonstrative behaviour is another way people recover their sense of control, and often a sign of insecurity or imposter syndrome: “I don’t know what I am doing here; I feel a little out of my depth.”

People don’t make life difficult for themselves for fun (well, not often).? If you can see these behaviours in your people. It is worth checking in to help them feel as clear as they can be about how to navigate.

Often, all it takes is a simple nudge, a different perspective, that helps them have a sense of confidence in how to move forward.

What simple action can you take to help yourself - or someone else - gain some clarity and direction?

Have an Ataraxic weekend.

Nigel

P.S. If you’re seeing this, or something like it in your space, book a brainstorming meeting and we can work-up a strategy.