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15 Stress Responses That Are Killing Your Credibility 1751511284

The document outlines 15 common responses to stress that can harm one's credibility in professional settings. It provides alternative strategies for each response, such as replacing over-apologizing with gratitude and managing body language during criticism. The aim is to enhance communication and maintain professionalism under pressure.

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Ahmed Khalil
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12 views7 pages

15 Stress Responses That Are Killing Your Credibility 1751511284

The document outlines 15 common responses to stress that can harm one's credibility in professional settings. It provides alternative strategies for each response, such as replacing over-apologizing with gratitude and managing body language during criticism. The aim is to enhance communication and maintain professionalism under pressure.

Uploaded by

Ahmed Khalil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Stress

15 Responses
Stress
Responses
That Are Killing Your

Credibility
Credibility
Written By: Dr. Carolyn Frost

Making promises
Making promises
01 you can't keep to
you can't keep to
ease tension
ease tension
Replace "I'll get that to you today" with
"I need to check my capacity first"
02
Interrupting others
Interrupting others
mid-sentence
mid-sentence
Count to 2 silently before responding, even when
urgent

03
Over-apologizing for
Over-apologizing for
normal work processes
normal work processes
Replace "sorry" with "thank you for your patience"
Checking your phone
Checking your phone
04 during conversations
during conversations
Place it face down or better yet, out of sight
completely

05
Sending late-night
Sending late-night
emails that reveal your
emails that reveal your
lack of boundaries
lack of boundaries
Draft now, schedule for 7am tomorrow

06
Speaking faster when
Speaking faster when
challenged
challenged
Consciously slow down when stakes get higher
07
Nervous laughter that
Nervous laughter that
undermines serious
undermines serious
points
points
Practice a deliberate pause instead of filling silence

08
Visibly reacting to
Visibly reacting to
criticism in meetings
criticism in meetings
Use "notebook technique" - write reactions,
respond later

09
Reflexive agreement
Reflexive agreement
without processing
without processing
requests
requests
Default to "Let me think about that and get back
to you by [time]"
10
Defensive body language
Defensive body language
(crossed arms,
(crossed arms,
stepping back)
stepping back)
Consciously ground both feet and open your stance

11
Qualifying statements
Qualifying statements
that signal insecurity
that signal insecurity
Cut "I might be wrong but..." and start with your point

12
Over-explaining
Over-explaining
decisions that should
decisions that should
stand on their own
stand on their own
State the decision, then stop talking
13
Avoiding eye contact
Avoiding eye contact
during difficult
during difficult
conversations
conversations
Focus on the bridge of their nose if direct contact
is difficult

14
Speaking in absolute
Speaking in absolute
terms when stressed
terms when stressed
("always," "never")
("always," "never")
Replace with specific observation: "I've noticed
three times this week..."

15
Sending reactive emails
Sending reactive emails
without cooling period
without cooling period
Write draft, walk away for 10 minutes, then review
before sending
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