Anxiety Quote by James R. Schlesinger
“We have only two modes - complacency and panic.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Crisis Management, 1979
People react to threats either by staying complacent or by panicking, with no middle ground.
In simple terms: We tend to be either lazy or frantic under pressure.
Key Takeaway
Seek balanced, proactive responses.
Themes
stress
decision making
behavior
crisis
Mood
anxious
motivated
Type
pragmatic
strategic
When to use this quote
- workplace emergencies
- financial downturns
- health scares
- natural disasters
- personal health crises
Key Concepts
psychology
risk management
leadership
Questions to Reflect On
- What strategies help you stay calm yet alert?
- How can you avoid slipping into complacency?
A Different Perspective
Both extremes can impair judgment and effectiveness.
![“We are not good at recognizing distant threats even if their probability is 100%. Society ignoring [peak oil] is like the people of Pompeii ignoring the rumblings below Vesuvius.” quote by James R. Schlesinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/db5/james-r-schlesinger-55141_ifs_we-are-not-good-at-recognizing-distant-t_2950109.jpg)
