From Clouded Thinking to Clear Action: How to Increase Capacity and Activate Agency During Times of Stress and Change 

Session Description

When the clouds of stress and change roll in, people don't need more information. They need the capacity to think clearly and the agency to act.

Change, uncertainty, and competing priorities can quickly cloud thinking, drain capacity, and leave even highly capable people stuck in patterns of overthinking, procrastination, avoidance, or resistance.

In this high-energy, interactive, and playful session, participants will explore the neuroscience of how people respond to stress and change. Through engaging activities and introvert-friendly games, attendees will experience firsthand how small shifts in thinking and communication can move the brain from overwhelm and reactivity toward clarity and action.

This session emphasizes immediate practice. Participants will leave with simple, repeatable tools they can use to support themselves and others during times of challenge, disruption, and growth.

Participants will learn how to:

• Replace the Confusion Spiral with an Action Loop: Use a simple three-step process to break patterns of overthinking, procrastination, and resistance.
• Build a Daily Capacity Warm-Up: Create a practical routine that reduces cognitive overload, improves focus, and strengthens resilience.
• Create Capacity-Boosting Conversations: Use simple communication habits that increase engagement, problem-solving, and productive action in themselves and others.
  

Attendees will leave with greater clarity, stronger capacity, and practical tools they can implement immediately to help themselves and others move from clouded thinking to clear action. 

Speaker

Mari Geasair

Mari is a leadership communication behaviorist helping leaders and high achievers amplify their impact.
Her work is grounded in over twenty years of experience in organizational communication, business development, the neuroscience of peak performance, speech physiology, applied improvisation, and live theatre performance.

Mari Geasair is a CE Resilience Certified Leadership Trainer, a Nartralisco Certified Neuroscience Coach, a  member of the National Speakers Association, an Applied Improv Network member, and an RLMC-certified voice coach.

Audiences consistently describe Mari’s sessions as energizing, engaging, and transformative. They appreciate how complex ideas are distilled into simple, actionable strategies they can apply right away. Participants leave equipped with renewed confidence, practical tools, and the motivation to step boldly into new action patterns and solutions. 

APPROVED FOR 1 SHRM AND HRCI GENERAL CREDIT
FREE for Members; $25 for Non-Members