how people really respond to fear

How people REALLY respond to fear *

Rusty Cawley, APR | ColdCrisis.tv

* Condensed from the National Center for Food Protection and Defense’s “Risk Communicator Training for Food Defense Preparedness, Response & Recovery,” module 2, topic 1.

How leaders view the fear response

Hazard

How leaders view the fear response

Response

Hazard

How leaders view the fear response

Awareness

Fear

Panic

Response

Hazard

How leaders view the fear response

Awareness

Fear

Panic

Response

Hazard

How leaders view the fear response

Disturbing tendencies:• Withhold information• Make over-assuring

statements

Response

How the fear response really works

Response

Outrage

How the fear response really works

Acceptance

Over-reaction

Denial

Panic

Response

Outrage

How the fear response really works

Source: Peter Sandman, petersandman.com

Acceptance‘The Default Position’

Response

Outrage

How the fear response really works

Source: Peter Sandman, petersandman.com

Over-reaction‘Can be healthy’

Response

Outrage

How the fear response really works

Source: Peter Sandman, petersandman.com

Denial‘Less common, never healthy’

Response

Outrage

How the fear response really works

Source: Peter Sandman, petersandman.com

Panic‘Very rare’

Response

Outrage

How the fear response really works

Source: Peter Sandman, petersandman.com

Puchased gas masks Purchased antibiotic preseciptions

Opened mail as usual Consulted doctor about anxiety

1% 5%

98%

3%

Response to the 2001 anthrax scare in three affected cities

Source: Glass T., Disasters and public health preparedness: Lessons for bioterrorism preparedness

Puchased gas masks Purchased antibiotic preseciptions

Opened mail as usual Consulted doctor about anxiety

1% 5%

98%

3%

Response to the 2001 anthrax scare in three affected cities

Source: Glass T., Disasters and public health preparedness: Lessons for bioterrorism preparedness

Acceptance

Lessons for leaders in crisis• Act transparently• Share power• Share information• Act in a trustworthy

manner• Express your

uncertainty