011: What Do I Do, in the Moment, When I Feel Activated?

This episode is for anyone who finds themselves caught off guard in meetings or difficult conversations—when your chest tightens, your mind races, and you struggle to respond from your best self. We talk about why activation happens, what to do in the moment, and how to build capacity so these moments happen less often.The Big QuestionWhat do I do in the moment when I'm having a conversation and I feel activated?What We CoverRecognize the fear response – Activation is your body going into fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. The first sign is somatic—chest tightening, shallow breathing, body tension.Use breath to get grounded – Box breathing (in 4, hold 4, out 4, hold 4) gets you back in your body. Then assess: Can I pause this conversation?Get curious, not defensive – Ask clarifying questions and challenge your assumptions. Someone asking lots of questions may be seeking understanding, not attacking you.Do the deeper work later – After the moment passes, explore what activated you, what old story you're protecting, and what capacity-building you need.Build resilience when you're calm – Use assessments and tools, practice self-awareness, celebrate small wins, and don't underestimate the basics like sleep and hydration.Key TakeawayIn the moment: breathe, pause if possible, get curious. Long-term: build capacity through self-awareness and tools so you respond from your best self, not your scared self.Resources MentionedSusan David, Emotional AgilityBrené Brown, Dare to LeadAmy Gallo, Getting AlongGretchen Rubin, The Four TendenciesEnergy Leadership Index assessmentGlobeSmart assessmentResources:Leading through growth takes intention. Our capabilities deck shows how we help founders and leadership teams lead boldly and build cultures that scale.Think coaching might be right for you? Schedule a free consultation to explore how we can help you step into your next level of leadership.We would love to connect with you!CoCreate Work on LinkedInCoCreate Work on InstagramLa’Kita on InstagramChloe on InstagramVisit our Podcast PageQuestions you would like us to answer on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]