Triggered at Work: What to Do When You React

How many times today have you been triggered? A sharp email, an offhand comment, a meeting that left you spiralling. Sometimes it’s a small internal shift, sometimes it leads to a reaction we regret.

In this episode, I explore what it really means to be triggered at work - why it happens, how it affects us, and most importantly, what we can do about it. I share personal stories, emotional regulation models, and a toolkit of strategies to help you return to calm, grounded leadership in the heat of the moment.

Whether you’re navigating team dynamics, difficult feedback, or simply the daily tension of leadership, this episode offers compassion, perspective, and practical ways to strengthen your emotional resilience.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What it really means to be triggered at work  - and how to spot it
• Common workplace triggers (some might surprise you)
• How your nervous system and ego states influence your reactions
• The role of values, unconscious memory, and emotional patterns
• Practical, in-the-moment strategies to pause and reset
• Reflective practices to learn from difficult moments without shame
• Why self-compassion is the most powerful tool of all

Takeaway:
Being triggered is part of being human  -  and part of being a leader. With the right tools, awareness, and kindness to yourself, you can turn these moments into powerful growth opportunities.

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