YOUR RESPONSES IN STORM

In the green/red image, stress moves you from rational green functioning towards red.  Those red responses are useful occasionally, but aim to choose them, not fall mindlessly into them.  If you are easily pushed into red reactions in conflict, you lose out on the power of the green responses.   The circle chart above shows your conflict style scores in two settings, Calm and Storm. We'll look first at your Storm numbers when early resolution of conflict has failed and stress is high.  

For everyone, when emotions rise, upper brain activities like rational thinking and problem-solving get harder.  Lower brain instincts to fight, flee, or freeze get stronger.  The Storm numbers reflect your responses when the lower brain is becoming active.

If you're less than pleased with your scores, remember that you benefit from neuroplasticity.  Humans can develop new patterns at any age.  In times of calm, expand the power of your upper brain by trying new responses to conflict.  Don't expect instant mastery of new responses; just persist and you'll be surprised at how soon you'll improve.  Conversation with others helps - see the section on Partner Support for ideas.