Why Some People Thrive in High-Energy Environments, and Others Need to Stay Calm

Picture this: your boss calls you and a coworker into their office. They explain that a new, high-profile project is to be assigned to both of you, which involves pitching to a potential and important business partner. The project will require meticulous planning, engagement with multiple high-energy internal teams, plenty of overtime, and data-driven presentations to board members and the potential partner.

Your coworker is thrilled, rubs their hands together, and is already raring to go.

You, on the other hand, have started sweating and are overwhelmed with the intensity of the ask. High-pressure stakes in a high-energy environment? Yep, not your bag, baby.

There is a wide range of subjective reasons why individuals react differently to these types of situations. Biology, personality, and experience can all shape how people respond to stress-filled scenarios, and while some might consider those who respond well to stress “better,” the reality is that different personality types are better suited to different environments.

Understanding your natural working style can help you choose environments and careers where you can perform your best. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses can also help you identify opportunities for skill improvement, if learning to manage stressful situations differently is the goal.

In this article, we cover what high-pressure environments are, why some people are able to manage them more proficiently than others, and the key traits and personality types that suit more stressful environments.

What is a high-energy or pressure environment?

High-pressure environments are subjective; however, common situations include tight deadlines, high stakes, or heavy workloads. Other circumstances that might be deemed high-energy environments include situations that require public speaking, involve high physical demands, have shifting priorities, or carry severe consequences for poor performance.

Why can some people handle pressure?

For some people who can handle stressful environments, marginal arousal (stress) actually improves motivation to complete a task. Mild anxiety acts as a stimulant to place greater attention on the problem, which allows them to focus on having a mastery performance, provided they have the actual skills needed to complete the task.

Research has also shown that genetics plays a role in how you might react to high-pressure situations, which likely plays into why some can harness marginal arousal effectively. While some of us are more stress-sensitive, others are wired to bounce back and may even enjoy the pressure. Some genes that can affect your stress response include:

COMT: Catechol-O-methyltransferase, or COMT, is a brain chemical that helps break down dopamine, which helps drive focus and motivation. Some people process COMT too quickly, leading to burnout, while others go through it too slowly, causing anxiety under pressure.

MAO-A: Monoamine oxidase A is an enzyme that helps regulate mood chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. Some variations impact how reactive you may be while under stress.

BDNF: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor is a gene that helps your brain adapt or recover from stressful episodes. Low BDNF activity makes it harder to bounce back after high-stress situations.

GAD1: Glutamate decarboxylase 1 helps with the creation of aminobutyric acid (GABA), a calming neurotransmitter. When GAD1 is not functioning, it can be harder for the brain to relax.

There are also many people in this world who do not thrive in high-stress environments. They may not have the correct tools to properly manage it, their genetics may not play in favor of high-pressure stakes, or what some people consider “mild arousal” stress, they may consider a full-blown panic attack.

For those in a state where there are no perceived benefits in a stressful situation, there can be significant mental, emotional, or physical exertion, feelings of burnout, anxiety, and stress, and a decrease in overall productivity and health. For any given individual, stress can be either performance-enhancing or performance-limiting, and sometimes even both.

Personality types under pressure

Although anyone can fit anywhere along the pressure spectrum, there are a few personality traits that help an individual thrive under pressure. Some of these include:

• Those with high adaptability to changing scenarios
• People who are decisive and are comfortable making quick decisions
• Those who can focus while in high-pressure situations
• People who have lower physiological reactions to stress
• Those who have developed appropriate coping mechanisms
   

Workplace environments that suit these personality types might include emergency services, healthcare, or start-up businesses. For people who perform well under pressure and want to channel that energy into a meaningful career, programs like the Rockhurst University accelerated BSN program offer a fast-paced path into the nursing profession.

In contrast, there are also personality traits and skillsets that better suit slower, more deliberate work styles, which also have their own niches within the workforce. Highly desired skills that are equal in value to the “high-pressure skillset” include:

• A meticulous eye and a strong attention to detail
• The ability to think and plan long-term
• Consistency and reliability in an individual’s output
• Emotional steadiness
   

Roles that value these types of personalities include positions in research, finance, design, or anything strategy-led. While quick thinking may be required, a calmer, more methodical approach is best for these settings.

Choosing the right environment for you

Forcing yourself to adapt to an environment you are not best-suited to is not always easy. While it is possible to develop coping strategies to help navigate stressful situations, sometimes, the path of least resistance, like finding a job that suits you, is the easiest way forward.

When making this decision, it is important for you to assess yourself in an impartial manner. You may want to consider what your energy levels are like in fast-paced settings, how comfortable you are with your decision-making skills, and whether you have a tendency to burnout. Understanding who you are as a person will help ensure you select the right environments for you, ensuring you are not just surviving, but living in your role.

Image credit: iStock.com/Antonio_Diaz