One potential explanation according to the Neuroscientist Bruce McEwen (2016) can be found in individual responses to stressful situations – these often depend on the intensity & frequency of what is being asked of them & their responses are often preset (although not necessarily set in stone) from childhood.
Short & sharp with the resources to cope, & you have ‘good’ stress – the mind focuses, individuals rise to the challenge & the risk taken is ultimately rewarding.
When the stress is greater than a team member can cope with but can be overcome with the support of colleagues, family or friends it is often referred to as ‘tolerable’ stress.
When events are out of an individual’s control for longer periods of time & there is little support or experience of overcoming similar – this is where ‘toxic’ stress occurs.
One thing all these reactions have in common is they are a response to your team member’s interpretation of events rather than the events themselves. Which is why when delivering the same difficult message or challenge to a team who are all at a similar level & often fulfilling similar roles – individual reactions & interpretation can differ wildly.
The trick for you as their leader is to be curious about the different responses you observe & rather than hold everyone to the perceived highest quality response (or indeed the one you would have given), seek to understand why individuals see a task so differently & most importantly what support they may need from you in delivering it.
If you want to understand further how I could support you, your team, or your organisation be more curious & create better outcomes, then drop me a message at rupert@strongerhumans.com
