The world of the brain has a protector called the reptilian brain. It is millions of years old and it immediately reacts and allows us to sprint away from fear, danger, obstacles etc. It can be enormously protective and helpful. If you have a bus coming at you, it will hustle you out of the way.

HOWEVER, when we associate fear and danger in our lives especially with people we don’t respect or like, trust the reptilian brain can get it wrong. We can avoid and judge without evidence that someone is bad because they might look like a monster we remember from first grade. We associate fear and distrust with reacting as if it were true…that someone is a monster and yet they are your boss or team captain or teacher.

Be careful. Examine your judgements about “things and people” to make sure that you are not avoiding or fearful of imagined dangers. We all have fears and feel danger. Make sure that these feelings are not keeping you from success, understanding, listening and/or leading well.