Behavior Patterns & Stress

This month, we've been focused on personal power. One way we can give our power away is how we react to stress. Are we aware of our tendencies? Are we willing to self-reflect on our triggers? 
 
For me, I've had to make a conscious effort to learn my triggers. This effort helps me step back if something painful or stressful comes up, and I know I need space to get back to my center before responding. With three teenagers, I've had lots of opportunities to practice!
 
Coaching is a powerful shortcut for self-development. Coaching was a game changer for me when it came to self-awareness and stress. 
 
One key teaching around stress and personal power that I took away from learning the Enneagram is how different personalities react under stress. The Enneagram calls this Levels of Development. It teaches that under stress we tend move down a few levels. This down-leveling happens until we become self-aware and learn how to respond differently. The core concept also teaches us that the more we develop our capacity to respond positively to stress, the more emotional buoyancy we develop.
 
Today's resource reflects the 4 DISC personalities and the tendencies each type faces under stress. These are good to be aware of in ourselves and also on behalf of our clients. 

How Behavioral Patterns can be Exaggerated Under Stress

By: Carmen Acton, PCC
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"My friends and family would tell you I’m typically a very calm, laid-back person. That is, until I’m triggered and experiencing emotions of uncertainty, anxiety or panic. Then my behavioral style looks more like that of a lion.  

Recently, my mother sustained a fall and was unable to get to the phone. I became worried when she didn’t return my calls and on day three, I went into command mode. I instructed the police to break into her home immediately! Many would say I pivoted from kitten to lion in under a second. What was underlying this big change in my behavior?  It was a sudden change in routine and being faced with something unpredictable.

There are four broadly accepted behavioral styles that are represented by observable behavioral tendencies. We each exhibit a blend of these based on what we believe the situation, environment or relationship calls for. They may have slightly different names, but we can recognize them if we pay attention to the observable verbal, visual and vocal cues."

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