You’re about to enter a meeting and you’ve been warned you’re going to be challenged…a lot.
Is it better
- to seek a quiet place, to calm yourself, to find your
center and go into the meeting relaxed or
- to focus on the idea of being challenged, being put on
the spot, possibly being singled out in front of your
peers?
Based on studies performed in Boston and elsewhere, it’s better to enter confrontational situations a little hot under the collar.
Just so we’re clear on things, I’m not suggesting you go in armed for bear and looking to take no prisoners, nothing of the sort.
That offered, chances are you’ll come out of the meeting or situation better if you go in with your blood up. The reasons are (evolutionary-wise) simple. Knowing a confrontation or some unpleasantness will take place gives your mind and body and evolutionary advantage, the “fight” aspect of what use to be called the flight-or-fight response. Just knowing a challenge is looming causes changes to your body chemistry, especially your neural chemistry. You go from prey to predator mode, essentially, and your body adjusts itself without your realizing it’s doing so. Your movements, your voice, your expressions, even your irises start giving off “Keep your distance, bucko!” signals that other people, equally without realizing it, pick up and respond to.
Walk Like a … Predator Continue reading “Get a Good Mad Going – It Might Be Good For You”
