Mastering Fear
CREDITS
�Robert Maurer, PhD�CEO and founder of the Science of Excellence, consulting�https://www.scienceofexcellence.com/�Associate Clinical Professor at the UCLA School of Medicine�director of Behavioral Sciences for Family Medicine�faculty member with the University of Washington School of Medicine
Terry Wu, PhD
CREDITS
Jesse DePriest
Lean Leadership & Transformation Coach / Consultant
LeanSSBB / BSME / MsC Ops Mgt / MBA
Vistage Executive Coach
Founder: 5L Performance Group
402-739-7607
THE BIG IDEA…
“STRESS” IS NOT AN EMOTION.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS STRESS.
It is FEAR
And, we can create ways to reduce fear – and learn to manage fear.
How our brain works…
NeoCortex
Reptilian brain
Amygdala
(Fear)
Amygdala: task of survival
(instinct & survival)
FIGHT OR FLIGHT
And the four F’s
The Triune Brain
Human Brain
Mid brain
Limbic System
Feelings…
(emotional programming)
Thinking
The fear response… it’s normal
The lion, gazelle, monkey and me – we all have something in common that
profoundly affects the success we achieve – or don’t – in life.
We need a better stress response
the external threats or opportunities
… distinguish the difference between
The stressor
And the stress response (FEAR)
We have confused the two…
ERRONEOUSLY we believe the problem is:
INSTEAD, the problem is our lack of skill in regulating the STRESS RESPONSE
Are you afraid of something? Is that bad?
FEAR, the body’s natural and appropriate response to a stressor
Is a good thing – it keeps us safe!
But, unmanaged and with NO mechanisms to cope…
it can become the body’s ‘DIS-ease’
Are you afraid of the crossing the street?
Name the fear
What are you afraid of ?
Name the fear
What do you do to manage your fear?
How do you reduce ‘stress’ ?
Common, UNHEALTHY responses to fear
“DANGERS”
Skills to Master Fear
to see movement, evidence of success… in service of PURPOSE
------------------------------
FIRST, an AWARENESS & ACCEPTANCE of FEAR in self and others – as natural and normal
Skills to Master Fear & Avoid Burnout
A sense of control
Antidote: Autonomy
Give people a sense of control …
What, When, Where, Who, How …
Find a way to give people a choice.
Skills to Master Fear & Avoid Burnout
Predictability
Antidote: Consistency, Routines
Trust = Predictability = Consistency
Environmental Stability / 5S
Give people advanced warning / early info
Signals, Kanbans, Workflows
Visual Management
Skills to Master Fear & Avoid Burnout
A Sense of Progress
Antidote: Visual Management w/ Scorecard
Improvement-Coaching KATA // Parent-Child A3s
Kaizen // Daily Management w/ Retrospectives // 5S
boredom
People behave badly when bored.
Organizational Learned Helplessness
When there is
NO sense of control…
NO predictability …
NO sense of progress …
Leads to LOW accountability
And eventual organizational learned helplessness
PRIMARY CAUSE:
FEAR-BASED LEADERSHIP
… absent leaders and/or leaders
running around telling people
what to do … and changing
priorities all the time
Skills to Master Fear & Avoid Burnout
Social Support
An UNDERSTANDING & AWARENESS of the NEED FOR ATTENTION and SUPPORT
and the generosity in giving and receiving recognition/ appreciation
Look for who needs it…
Even when in a really dark spot, just a little bit of social support can be a difference maker.
AND… when we give it, we reduce our own stress / fear
Asking for help…
Fear is a symptom of incompetence…
- why do leaders lead through fear and coercion? (doesn’t know any other way)
- why are we afraid to try new things? (haven’t done them before)
- why are we afraid to jump off the dock? (not a great swimmer)
- what are you afraid of?... Could it be because you aren’t proficient in it?
SO, what help do you need?
Asking for help…
“INSPIRE”�WHAT KIND OF HELP DO WE NEED? – TYPES OF SUPPORT…
The healthy response to fear…
REACHING OUT FOR HELP.
AND OFFERING, GIVING SUPPORT
Lean Systems for Support
Asking for Help…
Is it ironic… ???
The best answer to fear is to ask for help…
But the thing we are most afraid of…
is asking for help!!!
Skills to Master Fear
We can learn to develop a strong, nurturing internal voice and MINDSET
Reptilian Brain
Amygdala
(Fear)
Mid-Brain
(emotional programming)
?
STRESSOR
Fear Stimulus
Strong nurturing internal voice and Mindset
Skills to Master Fear
Reptilian Brain
Amygdala
(Fear)
FEAR
DANGERS!
STRESSOR
FEAR STIMULUS
Untrained programming
Mid-Brain
(the emotional program)
We can learn to develop a strong, nurturing internal voice and MINDSET
Strong nurturing internal voice and Mindset
Skills to Master Fear�
We can learn to develop a strong, nurturing internal voice and MINDSET
Cortex
STRESSOR
FEAR STIMULUS
Reptilian Brain
Amygdala
(Fear)
FEAR!
Mid-Brain
(the emotional program)
The dialogue…
‘ok, I see you, fear – thank you for keeping me safe, Mr. Amygdala!
Now, I am going to process that with my high-tech logical brain now – so be quiet for a sec…
… is that danger or risk, real?
… if so, what is the probability of the bad thing happening?
… if it happens, what is the worst that could happen?
… and, what help do I need?
… and, who is the best person to help me with that?
… I got this, let’s play some Alleluia music!
Skills to Master Fear�
We can learn to develop a strong, nurturing internal voice and MINDSET
Skills to Master Fear
Strong, Nurturing Voice - MINDSET
ALLELUIA!
The tabernacle choir in my mind singing my praises…
Strong Internal Voice and Mindset�
What is your inner voice saying?
SINGING HALLELUJAH?
or… the critic?
IF the critic, tell him / her …
“Thank you for keeping me safe.
Now sit down and be quiet.
I have work to do. “
Strong Internal Voice and Mindset�
RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE
Skills to Master Fear
OUTLETS
BEST …
Leader’s Role in Reducing Fear
What is the worst way to treat someone?
The Need to be Recognized
Impact of RECOGNITION & ATTENTION to employee engagement
(and subsequent productivity)
POSITIVE RECOGNITION
3,000X
ignore
negative
12X
Recognizing People is A POWERFUL – yet underused – Skill of Leadership
The Power of Recognition
WHAT DO PEOPLE REALLY WANT?
… among other things …
control / autonomy, predictability, progress, strong mindset,
to belong to a team that supports them and
contribute and do meaningful work that’s aligned to their strengths
ATTENTION!
(to be recognized)
Skills to Master Fear
to see movement, evidence of success… in service of PURPOSE
------------------------------
FIRST, an AWARENESS & ACCEPTANCE of FEAR in self and others – as natural and normal
Final Word on MINDSET
WORK HARD
DO GOOD WORK
BIG SUCCESS
BE HAPPY
DO
HAVE
BE
Final Word on MINDSET
BIG SUCCESS
GREAT WORK
BE HAPPY
CONTENTMENT
positivity
DO
HAVE
BE
Jesse DePriest�Lean Leadership & Transformation Coach�LSSBB / BSME, MSc, MBA�Founder, The 5L Performance Group
Vistage Chair – executive leadership coach�402-739-7607�jesse@depriestconsult.com
#SeriousJoy
#LoveToLean
Thank You!