Studies show how much emotional regulation can pose a challenge for Incident Response teams, in terms of choices and actions in the moment (P. Stacey et al., 2021), but also in terms of burnout prevention (S. Nepal et al., 2024).
Our emotions are influenced by triggers and by our thoughts, and in turn, they influence our behaviour and our outcomes. Conquering emotions has been a long battle in human experience, and philosophers have been looking for ways to have a “good life” whilst navigating setbacks since 300BC.
Stoics like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius in particular have left us extensive guidance and ideas on how to achieve this.
So, what can ancient philosophers teach us about a very modern challenge?
According to The Daily Stoic, here are 5 principles that, if practiced and internalised, can help you stay stoic when it matters most:
- Focus on what you can control
In life, there are things that we can control and things we cannot control. Trying to bend to our will those aspects of the incident that are not within our control can cause us to quickly become frustrated and to spend time ineffectively. It’s best to let go of those aspects and direct our energy elsewhere. What is within my control? Who can control what? What is outside of our team’s control and therefore we need to accept?
- Understand emotions and develop self-awareness
Funnily enough, emotions are something that we can – and should – control! We can’t stop emotions arising, but we can choose how we interpret what happens to us and how we respond. By developing self-awareness we become more skilled at observing our emotions, taking a step back and selecting our response to the situation.
- Work on your Stoic Virtues
The Stoic Virtues are what makes you the best version of yourself. They are wisdom, courage, self-control and justice. How do you behave when you are at your best?
How can you become braver, wiser, more self-controlled and just? Start from small actions in your daily life and don’t forget that these virtues are also about compassion and kindness towards yourself and others.
Wisdom: recognising signal vs noise during an active incident
Courage: making a decision with imperfect information
Self-control: maintaining composure during a tense escalation
Justice: treating vendors, analysts, and stakeholders fairly under pressure
- Care for yourself and others
In a stressful job like IR it’s important to make sure you are taking care of yourself. Only when you have your oxygen mask on, can you start helping others! Stoics believed that treating others better generates a virtuous cycle that increases your wellbeing as well as repaying you with kindness in return.
- Adopt other perspectives and bigger picture thinking
Being able to see from others’ perspectives and adopting a view that goes beyond yourself and your ego is going to improve your communication skills. As a consequence, difficult conversations become easier and negotiations get smoother as you are able to find common ground when you understand what truly matters for both parties.
These principles scale from individuals to teams. Teams mirror the emotional regulation of their leaders. By practicing these principles your leaders and teams can effectively self-regulate and face challenges head on…like real stoics!
Would you like this blog to become a workshop for your Incident Response team?
References:
Patrick Stacey, Rebecca Taylor, Omotolani Olowosule, Konstantina Spanaki, Emotional reactions and coping responses of employees to a cyber-attack: A case study, International Journal of Information Management, Volume 58, 2021
Subigya Nepal, Javier Hernandez, Robert Lewis, Ahad Chaudhry, Brian Houck, Eric Knudsen, Raul Rojas, Ben Tankus, Hemma Prafullchandra, and Mary Czerwinski. 2024
Suggestions for further reading:
https://www.philosophizethis.org/podcast/h48mld6lelcfrts-c55k9-m583b-aleb9-526rs