An introduction to executive coaching: fight, flight, freeze
For the next topic in our coaching series, we’re going to look at ‘fight, flight, freeze’ - a natural response to stressful situations that we can all relate to.
Here at Suzie Walker Executive Search, we know that exploring our barriers to success, sometimes with a little guidance, can help us to find ways to overcome them. Executive coaching is a tool for success that we offer to candidates, and access ourselves, so we thought it would be helpful to share an introduction to some of the key topics we have covered first-hand and how they could help you.
What is fight, flight, freeze?
The fight, flight, freeze instinct was developed by our ancestors as the body’s natural response to danger. This stress response is triggered by fear when perceived threats occur. It causes hormonal and physiological changes, including an increased heart rate and sharpened hearing – an automatic reaction and alertness. We often hear ‘fight or flight’, but ‘freeze’ is an additional reaction to perceived threats where we become immobilised, between fight and flight, preparing for our next move.
How does fight, flight, freeze impact us?
Our fight, flight, freeze response can be caused by common life situations where a perceived threat occurs. For example, feeling unsafe when walking alone, when a car in front brakes suddenly or when someone makes you jump. However, if you’re experiencing stress and anxiety, the fight, flight, freeze response might become exaggerated and harder to manage. In a work situation, perhaps something does not go to plan, or a colleague/client is challenging, and the fight, flight, freeze reaction will be heightened if you are already experiencing significant levels of stress.
How can we overcome fight, flight, freeze?
Self-help:
Simple relaxation techniques can have a profound effect on how we respond to stressful situations, becoming healthy habits that we can incorporate into our daily lives. Commonly used techniques, like breathing exercises, meditation or yoga can really help. Regular exercise can also help to reduce the stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, and improve your sleep.
Executive coaching:
Talking to someone you trust to process your thoughts can also help. Jenifer Richmond, Associate Executive Coach at Suzie Walker Executive Search, says, “I fundamentally believe that 1:1 executive coaching is the most powerful of learning interventions. Holding a safe space where issues can be fully explored produces a richness and depth of insight that surprises my clients time and time again. Seeing them grow and succeed beyond their expectations is a joy to behold.”
Executive coaching is a tailored practice that develops talent through one-to-one sessions. Coaching comes in many styles, but all offer a safe and structured space for us to explore our hopes, dreams, strengths, weaknesses and to establish our goals, with a clear action plan for getting there.
If you’re a client or candidate and would like to access executive coaching for you and/or your team, please get in touch or connect with us/send a message on LinkedIn.
With warmest regards,
the Suzie Walker Executive Search team
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for marketing, data, digital and tech roles in FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
