They Know

They know.

They know how to get your attention, provoke emotion, stress you out, and create a you vs. them mindset.

They know.

When you are stressed you lose your ability to think objectively and clearly. Without even realizing it, your brain prioritizes reducing the stress, regardless of how irrational or divisive you may become.

They know.

SOCIAL STYLE teaches us that people respond to different triggers and have different responses to stress.

They trigger Driving Styles by creating urgency, framing things as a loss of control, or highlight “weak leadership.” When stressed, Drivers get impatient and controlling. They double down on their opinions and dismiss anyone who doesn’t align.

They trigger Expressive Styles by stoking outrage, amplifying drama, and making it about identity or personal loyalty. When stressed, Expressives get passionate, defensive, and confrontational. They take things personally, overwhelm others with emotion, and keep a running “with me or against me” list.

They trigger Amiable Styles by pushing fear of division, loss of community, or being left out of the group. When stressed, Amiables go along to get along. They’ll agree just to avoid conflict but hold quiet grudges, tolerating until they can’t, or withdrawing altogether.

They trigger Analytical Styles by flooding the space with conflicting data, complex details, or too many opposing “facts.” When stressed, Analyticals retreat into analysis. When nothing is clear, they freeze in paralysis by analysis, shut down, and avoid.

They know how to stress you out and when people are stressed it's damn near impossible for people to have the security, confidence, and objectivity to come together as one to focus on solutions based in objective truth.

In 2025, this is today's survival of the fittest. I'm somewhere between "human potential is amazing" and we are being played like puppets . . . by all sides.

Without being critical of another person or group, how do we rise above this?