Negativity bias—our tendency to focus more on negative experiences—exists for a reason: Those slowest to spot the sabre-toothed tiger were the first to end up as its meal. Fast-forward 10,000 years, and our amygdala still struggles to distinguish between a snarky email and a life-threatening feline. We will overanalyze that message as though our survival depends on it.
The physical response to escaping a tiger and managing workplace stress is strikingly similar—racing heart, heightened alertness, a surge of cortisol. Our brains don’t differentiate between immediate physical danger and modern stressors. Throw in economic instability and political turmoil, and it’s no wonder we feel constantly on edge. So much of what we once knew to be true has been flipped on its head. Uncertainty is now our only certainty, and our central nervous systems are struggling to regulate.
Leaders are already juggling the pressures of growth, market expansion and team engagement. Doing that against a backdrop of uncertainty and pervasive anxiety is no easy feat. Employees are asked to be creative, refine processes and reassure others, while internally, they’re likely grappling with fears of political upheaval or economic collapse. A hijacked neural network and productivity are not a match made in heaven.
Major political events irrefutably influence workplace productivity and harmony. A study published in The Journal of Occupational Health Psychology examined the effects of political stress on employees, and the findings indicated that associated stress contributed to emotional exhaustion and impaired cognitive functioning, ultimately reducing work performance and productivity.
By digging deep into our raison d’être and pairing it with steady, unflustered leadership, we created a team galvanized by purpose and bound by unity. Scientifically, this effect can be explained by the compelling nature of a social purpose, which, assuming you’ve recruited people who truly care about it, helps activate the prefrontal cortex. When something meaningful is placed at the forefront of the mind, the prefrontal cortex functions as intended, regulating emotions and controlling responses effectively.
In moments of heightened security, leaders need to recognize their influence in shaping stability. A workforce in fight-or-flight mode cannot operate at its best. However, with a leader who communicates transparently, reaffirms their social purpose and provides tangible support can help calibrate that stress response. Proactively addressing employee concerns, whether through open town halls, clear messaging or simply listening, instills confidence.
Equally important is offering real, structural support. Mental health resources, flexible paid time off and financial security measures go beyond surface-level gestures, and signal to employees that they are more than just cogs in a machine. When uncertainty is inevitable, workplaces that prioritize stability from within set the foundation for an environment where employees can navigate external stressors without being consumed by it.
Did we know exactly how the pandemic would unfold? No. Do we know exactly how tariffs or adrenaline-spiking announcements from the U.S. will impact us? Of course not. But are we confident that we can navigate what’s ahead? Yes. And that confidence isn’t blind optimism, but an understanding of human behaviour under stress coupled with the experience of having gone through adversity before and coming out the other side.
As a species, we may not be evolved enough to stop our adrenal systems from flooding at the mere mention of the No. 51. But we are evolved enough to recognize that while anticipatory anxiety is a biological response, we have the power to regulate it, steady ourselves and transform fear into deliberate, decisive action. Great leaders in the modern world don’t let “the sabre-toothed tigers” in today’s business environment paralyze their teams. They acknowledge the uncertainty, set the tone and use their social purpose to survive and thrive.
Kirsten I’Anson is vice-president of people and culture at Community Savings Credit Union.
