People Are Complicated, But So Am I

“On the other side of complicated is the wonderful, wide-open world of effective collaboration and a workplace you love.”

--Ryan Leak 

Have you ever noticed how quickly your brain reacts when you run into a complicated person? Before they even say a word, your brain goes into protection mode, scanning for three things:

 Discomfort – Your brain senses tension and starts preparing for conflict. It tells you, “This might not be safe—get ready to defend yourself.”
 Uncertainty – You can’t predict what they’ll do or say next, and your brain doesn’t like surprises. It fills in the blanks with stories to feel more prepared—even if those stories aren’t true.
 Lack of Control – When you realize you can’t control their reaction, your brain tries harder to manage the situation, which often creates even more frustration.

Those three responses—discomfort, uncertainty, and lack of control—are perfectly normal. They’re your brain’s way of trying to protect you. The problem is, they can also hijack your ability to listen, empathize, and connect.

The good news? Once you recognize what’s happening in your mind, you can choose a different response. You can replace reactivity with curiosity—and tension with connection. 

That’s what we’ll unpack in our upcoming workshop, How to Work with Complicated People—a 3-hour, practical, and laughter-filled session inspired by Ryan Leak’s book and the DISC personality framework. You'll also come to understand how you are complicated!

You’ll learn how to:
 Recognize what triggers you when working with complicated people
 Communicate with clarity and empathy across personality types
 De-escalate conflict and strengthen relationships

Complicatedly typed, 

Jan

Jan McDonald
Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

Follow me on facebook for more enlightening information:) @janmariemcdonald