Greg StevensonStevenson, Gregory · Ask Greg — Leadership Coach

Two types of people in the room

13 Apr 2026 · 1 min

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In this brief monologue, Greg Stevenson describes observing two distinct reactions among personnel during a prolonged, stressful operational scenario. The first group, which includes Stevenson himself, remains silent, continues the mission despite disappointment and exhaustion, and does not let the worsening conditions cause a collapse. The second group becomes vocal, openly refuses to continue, claims unfairness, and expresses sentiments that, in a real operational setting, could jeopardize their careers and potentially endanger lives. Both groups experience the same four‑day depletion and loss of relief, yet their internal responses diverge dramatically, highlighting the impact of personal resilience versus vocal dissent under stress.

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What they saw was exactly 2 types of people. Some of us, and I include myself in this, just went quiet, picked up our gear and started moving. Not happy about it, not pretending to be happy about it, but there was something underneath the exhaustion and the disappointment that held. Something that didn't collapse when the conditions became worse than expected. And some completely lost the plot. They were vocal about it. They said they weren't going back out. They said it was unfair. They said things that in a real operational environment would have ended their career and potentially cost lives. Same conditions, same 4 days, same depletion, same moment of relief withdrawn. Completely different interior responses.