Drama Free Teams | Trauma-Informed Leadership for High-Performing Teams
Your team's smart. But managing the personalities, politics, and pressure of leadership? That’s a whole other story.
If you’re constantly putting out fires, struggling to get buy-in, or avoiding difficult conversations to keep the peace, Drama Free Teams is your new secret weapon.
Hosted by trauma-informed executive coach Dr. Annie Campanile, PhD, this podcast helps emotionally intelligent leaders stop second-guessing what to say, and start leading conversations that create clarity, accountability, and connection.
Dr. Annie has helped hundreds of leaders build high-performing teams and step into the C-suite without people-pleasing, second-guessing themselves, or getting derailed by drama at work, and in every episode, she’s handing you psychology-backed insights and straightforward tools you can put to work right away to become the kind of leader people authentically trust, respect, and want to follow.
Ready to become a great leader, known for clear, confident, and compassionate leadership—at work, at home, and in every area of your life? Hit PLAY and let’s begin.
Drama Free Teams | Trauma-Informed Leadership for High-Performing Teams
17. Always on Edge at Work? Do This to Get Out of Survival Mode Fast
Feel like you're constantly bracing for conflict at work? This episode reveals a simple nervous system reset to help you stay grounded, speak clearly, and break free from the fight response—before it damages your relationships or your career.
Have you ever walked into work already bracing for a fight?
Maybe your jaw clenches before anyone even says a word. Maybe you anticipate conversations, imagining how you’ll defend yourself.
Here’s what most people don’t realize: that “on edge” feeling might not be about the current moment. It might be your nervous system, stuck in survival mode.
In this episode, I’ll share the story of a physician whose fight response nearly cost him his job—and the simple reset that helped him reclaim his calm, his voice, and his career.
You’ll learn:
- Why fight mode isn't a personality flaw (and how to spot it in yourself)
- A quick body-based reset you can use anytime, anywhere
- Why trying to "stay calm" doesn’t work—and what does
- How to speak with strength, not survival
This one’s for you if:
You care deeply. You work in a high-pressure environment. You want to speak with clarity—not conflict—even when the pressure is on.
Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.
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Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).
More Resources for You:
- Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can speak clearly and confidently—especially during tough conversations.
- Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program.
- Download your free guide: Trauma Survivors Empowerment Guide
Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE
2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD