Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty

 
 

LEARNING LAB RESOURCE GUIDE

In an era marked by rapid workplace change, global conflict, and polarizing political landscapes, ERG and HR leaders find themselves at the forefront of supporting their teams through unprecedented, unpredictable challenges while managing their own wellbeing.

In this session, we dove into the complexities of managing the stress response cycle, combating outrage exhaustion, and navigating the divisive issues that come with global conflict and election seasons without burning out.

We hope you gained valuable perspectives, shared experiences, and collaboratively developed solutions to promote resilience, well-being, and cohesion in the face of uncertainty.

Together, we can empower our organizations to thrive amidst challenges and continue driving sustainable, positive change.

About Nikki

Nikki Innocent, is a certified new paradigm leadership coach and diversity, equity and inclusion facilitator who taps into her experience working in the management consulting and investment management industries at companies like Bain & Company and Bain Capital to create, launch and implement inclusive programming focused on bringing people together and shifting to a more connected paradigm of leadership.

Nikki works with folks at all levels from C-suite to new hires and has experience training individuals, teams and entire firms from startup to Fortune 5 companies, across multiple industries including tech, nonprofit, government, healthcare, and professional & financial services. Read more

Have questions? Email us info@nikkiinnocent.com

STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE

Stress response: The stress response includes physical and thought responses to your perception of various situations. When the stress response is turned on, your body may release substances like adrenaline and cortisol. Your organs are programmed to respond in certain ways to situations that are viewed as challenging or threatening.

6 stages of the cycle

  1. Threat appears: Stressful incident happens that could do you harm (a triggering message, meeting, deadline, challenging exchange)

  2. Activation of stress response system: Brain/amygdala activates the stress response system changing body + mind to respond to threat. Body is pumped full of stress, hormones, oxygen, etc.

  3. Threat handled/disappears: Stressful incident is addressed, ends or disappears. But… stress remains in the body.

  4. Stress response system deactivated: Resources, actions and practices that enable the body to process the stress the system has flooded the body with. “Proactive recovery” –  signal to your body that things are safe.

  5. Recovery process begins: As the body starts processing and releasing the stress, the body begins to recover and repair the damage done by the stress. Internal rest/recovery process is activated.

  6. Stress cycle complete: Body can recover, resilience is built. Making you less susceptible to to chronic stress issues (burnout, hypertension, inflammation, etc)

The “Fs” of stress response:

  • Fight: Posturing against or confronting the perceived threat 

  • Flight: fleeing or symbolically fleeing the perceived threat by way of a “hyperactive” response.

  • Freeze: Dissociating in response to the perceived threat.

  • Fawn: Placating the perceived threat in an attempt to forestall imminent danger.

  • Flood: Being flooded with emotions in response to a perceived threat.

  • Fatigue/Flop: Feeling tired or sleepy in response to a perceived threat.

  • Feel: Physical touch and affection Signals safety and comfort to the body. Activates parasympathetic nervous system, reduces stress. 

  • Friend: Connect with supportive friends or loved ones. Process emotions and share burdens. Reduces feelings of isolation and stress. 

  • Face: Acknowledge, accept and face emotions head on with open arms and vulnerability rather than suppressing or avoiding them. 

Ways to complete the stress response:

  1. Physical activity: Move your body

  2. Positive social interaction: Connect with friends

  3. Breathing: Slow deep breaths, breath-based meditations, box breathing

  4. Laughter: Have a belly laugh

  5. Affection: Hug it out

  6. Crying: Yep, that's right just cry it out

  7. Creative Expression: Allow your mind to play

OUTRAGE EXHAUSTION

In a world with 24/7 breaking news stories, burnout and outrage exhaustion are inevitable.

With the algorithms, our shortened attention spans and the whistleblower provided evidence that social media sites prioritize and amplify emotionally volatile content, it’s no wonder it feels like a nonstop media barrage on our sense of safety and stability.

🎥 DISCUSSION: HOW TO AVOID BURNOUT IN TODAY’S NONSTOP BREAKING NEWS CYCLE

Nikki is joined by licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Adia Gooden to talk about tips for taking care of yourself amidst information inundation, how to take meaningful action when the world feels like it's on fire and guidance for navigating performative activism/action when looking to make a difference.

Interested in working with Nikki either individually or at your organization?

ADDITIONAL REFERENCED RESOURCES

These are the materials referenced during the session for you to dive into and get a deeper understanding of the topics covered and the trends discussed. If there’s anything missing or you’re curious to learn more about, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Recommended podcasts & videocasts:

🎥 DISCUSSION: MODERN LEADERSHIP AND ITS IMPACT ON EMPLOYEES

Check out Nikki’s discussion with Anna Oakes, long-time HR/People leader and former Chief People Officer and Editor at Quartz at Work on the Culture & People cast.

Nikki shares insights on modern leaders and how they can leverage the social justice liberatory consciousness model to lead more inclusively.

USEFUL DEFINITIONS

Outrage fatigue is where one experiences exhaustion, cynicism, apathy, and hopelessness, as they try to take on too many social, political, legal, or economic campaigns at once.

  • The sustained cycle of bad news and hugely distressing events has led to ‘outrage burnout’, a phenomenon where a person feels exhaustion, apathy and hopelessness when they absorb too much of the negative news cycle or other large-scale campaigns that they feel emotionally connected to.

Limiting belief: something you believe to be true about yourself, about others, or about the world that limits you in some way. These beliefs may hold you back from taking chances, keep you blind to opportunities in your path, prevent you from accepting gifts offered to you, or simply keep you stuck focusing on the negative aspect of your circumstances


Burnout: a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:

  • feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;

  • increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job;

  • reduced professional efficacy.

If you’re nosy like me, here’s a little more about me and my approach…

To learn more about ways to work with & stay connected with Nikki: