It is not hard to recognize when someone is triggered in a work conversation

When there are conversations between co-workers, or management and staff, there is a thin line between building a supportive relationship or insulting and dismissing feelings. Triggers are negative emotions and feelings that are displayed by an individual who experienced trauma in his/her past. When the employee experience a challenging conversation or action by others it reminds the individual subconsciously about past dysfunction or trauma. The individual will then become aggressive, defensive, or protective.

The individual may provide statements in meetings or discussions that include the amount of years of experience. An example of a triggered statement is “I have been working in this field for 25 years. I think I know how to sell a house”. Another example of a triggered statement, that may be expressed when a co-worker achieves a work goal and receives recognition by management, is “my work goal is much harder and complex” or “I did that before it is the job do not know the reason management celebrated”. Theses statements may come from a dysfunctional childhood or past traumas that caused symptoms of negative emotions and feelings.

Some of those symptoms consist of feeling dismissed or unheard, not feeling protected, insecurities about skills and talents, lack of self-worth or self-value, or a moment of betrayal or broken trust. These triggers can cause an employee to unknowingly isolate oneself from co-workers or growth opportunities. Individuals who feel the need to use those negative statements, when not asked directly in a conversation, may need to reflect on past experiences that created the need to be aggressive, defensive, or protective. Some individuals may feel using those statements are actions of standing up in challenging conversations or sharing for respect from others, which those actions may come from childhood upbringing or past traumas.

When an individual can participate in challenging conversations without presenting triggered statements it displays confidence and the ability to manage emotions.