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Are you more firefighter or diplomat?
Find out how you fare in stressful situations
Emily Sheen
July 01, 2026
Hi everyone,
This week I’m exploring ‘stress archetypes’ - how they show up when we’re stressed and how understanding them can help us out. Plus, a reminder that the best ideas take a little longer to be accepted.
Enjoy!
Emily
Try
Small shifts to help you live bigger
Laughing at you Behind your Back
It’s the stuff of playground nightmares, and ties a knot in the pits of our stomachs.
But what if we shouldn’t be so quick to avoid it?
If no one’s laughing, it’s possible you’re not being bold enough, generous enough or creative enough.
It might be teenagers, competitors or that stranger down the street, but generous creative leadership always creates skeptics.
Hear
Serendipitous life advice
Do something that achieves nothing for at least 20 minutes this week
No, doomscrolling doesn’t count…
Read
Fresh perspectives on life and work
What’s Your Stress Archetype?
This HBR article shares how stress shows up differently for each of us and unpacks how some channel it into an opportunity, whilst others perceive it as a threat.
Read on to find out if you’re more “firefighter” or “diplomat” in your approach to stressful situations. There are adaptive strategies tailored to each.
Savour
A little something to feed one of the 5 senses. This week: sight.
🧑🎨 David Shrigley’s work brought me a smile this week.
Thanks for reading!
💌 Loved it? Gift it to a friend.
🙏 Suggestions? Send me feedback.
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