Magic in the Room #159: Survival Strategies: How Do We Deal with Stress?
July 30, 2023
This week we are kicking off our new series on survival strategies. Our brain works hard to keep us safe and get us the things we need. When we encounter a stressful situation, our first reaction is always to do something that we believe will keep us safe. Sometimes this response is helpful, and sometimes it is unhelpful. In this episode of Magic in the Room, Luke, Hannah, and Chris discuss how we intentionally choose our response to stress to get the best outcome possible.
Listen now on your favorite platform!
Find Bob Schooley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbobschooley/
Credits:
- This episode of Magic in the Room was recorded onsite in Big Sky, Montana.
- Music by Evan Grim. Find his music on
Apple Music
In this episode of Magic in the Room, Luke, Hannah, and Chris explore the lessons, transitions, and leadership insights they’re carrying forward into 2026, emphasizing the importance of narrowing focus, letting go of resistance, and aligning with natural rhythms to create meaningful momentum. They discuss how personal and professional growth often emerges through periods of chaos and transition, highlighting themes such as intentionality, subtraction as a multiplier, and the courage required to release control, certainty, and outdated habits. Drawing on their work with purpose-driven organizations, they explain how leadership transformation begins internally, noting that organizational change is inseparable from personal development and mindset shifts. They also explore how embracing disturbance, addressing root causes instead of symptoms, and cultivating hope rather than cynicism can unlock resilience, stronger culture, and long-term performance.
In this episode of Magic in the Room, Luke, Hannah, and Chris delve into the timely topic of hope versus cynicism in leadership, particularly in a world rife with uncertainty and negativity. The discussion focuses on whether hope alone is sufficient for transformational leadership or if, in environments steeped in cynicism, leaders must amplify their energy and intentionality, sometimes matching the intensity of cynics to move organizations forward. They examine the "hope recipe," which involves envisioning a better future, creating a pathway, and having agency. They also discuss the difficulty of maintaining agency when systems, culture, or fatigue threaten to sap it. They differentiate between strategically "letting go" and simply "giving up," emphasizing the importance of support, accountability, and self-awareness as antidotes to cynicism.