Do you find yourself stuck in a pattern of aggressive conversations in certain situations? Do you ever wonder why those conversations trigger you? It can be hard to understand what's happening when we're feeling in what he calls a ‘red state’. Identifying the feeling is the first step in mindfulness practice; we need to recognise our red emotional states to move away from them.

Graham Lee joins us in this episode to discuss our emotional states and apply simple mindfulness techniques to get out of a red state and into a green one. Most conflicts are rooted in unmet needs. When we admit those needs, we can instantly change relationship dynamics! Graham also shares insights on what to do during stressful situations where your emotions cloud your judgement and thinking.

If you want to use mindfulness practice to be more aware of your emotions even during difficult situations, then stay tuned to this episode.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:

1. Discover how we can categorise our emotional states to be more effective in our conversations without triggers. 
2. Learn how to shift from a red state to a green state through mindfulness practices.
3. Understand how our secondary and primary emotions relate to unmet needs.

Resources

• Connect with Graham: LinkedIn I The Awareness Partnership 
• Looking for relationship therapy? Check out books by Harville Hendrix 
• Breakthrough Conversations for Coaches, Consultants, and Leaders by Graham Lee
• Help your team cope better to feel calmer and work happier with https://www.shapestoolkit.com/. We are now open for Summer 2022 and Autumn 2022 bookings! We also have a few slots left for Spring 2022.
• THRIVE Weekly Planner

Episode Highlights

[05:22] Introducing Graham

[10:08] How Can Emotional Awareness Change Conversations

[15:15] Mindfulness Practices Even During Stress

[23:45] How to View Emotions and Our Needs

[29:14] The Importance of Acknowledgement 

[32:53] Practical Techniques 

[36:03] Be the Observer

[39:11] Observe First Before Anything Else

[44:42] Graham’s Tips 

[52:37] What to Do When Someone Else is Red

Enjoy This Podcast?

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, do not hesitate to write a review and share this with your friends.

Sign up here to receive a link to the episode workbook and CPD form downloads for each podcast. You can use them for reflection and submit them for your appraisal. 

You can also join the Shapes Collective Facebook group, where we chat about hot topics and regularly post interesting articles.

Have any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:

LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris 

Twitter: @DrRachelMorris

Email: [email protected]

Find out more about our training here. 

Here’s to surviving and thriving inside and outside our work!

Rachel

Mentioned in this episode:

Work Well Live

FrogFest Virtual 2025