Could Your Workplace Anxiety Be Inherited?
We talk a lot about stress in the workplace—how to manage it, stay resilient, and lead teams effectively. But have you ever considered that some of the struggles you face at work—like chronic anxiety, fear of failure, or self-doubt—might not be about today's stressors?
Turns out, we can carry trauma from up to three generations back (yes, from your grandparents).
Studies show that children and grandchildren of immigrants who fled conflict or hardship often carry emotional restraint or fear of instability (financial or otherwise), even though they never faced those threats directly (Bowers & Yehuda, 2015a).
How might this show up in your career and leadership?
Externally, you may adopt unhealthy habits like avoiding risk, overworking, or emotional detachment from your work/colleagues that counter what you truly want: success, balance, or connection.
Internally, you may find yourself constantly second-guessing decisions, feeling anxious about your performance, or fearing failure—even when there's no clear reason for it.
These. behaviors. aren’t. random.
Trauma can be passed down through two ways:
Learning: If your parents struggled with anxiety about financial security, safety, or loss, you might have unconsciously picked up similar emotional responses and behaviors.
Genetics: Epigenetic changes can alter how stress-related genes are expressed, meaning we're born with a set of "default settings" in our nervous systems that shape how we respond to stress.
The good news? You can break the cycle and lead with more success, balance, and connection. Here’s how (either on your own or with the help of a therapist):
💬 Recognize your core language, beliefs, and behaviors: Pay attention to phrases and thoughts you use about yourself and your career (e.g., “I always mess things up,” “Something bad is going to happen,” or “I feel trapped"). This core language could be clues to deeper emotional patterns and core beliefs (e.g., “I’m not good enough,” “The world is unreliable,” or "I don't belong here") passed down through generations. Then, examine the behaviors and decisions these beliefs contribute to.
🔎 Dig into your family history: What major events shaped your parents' and grandparents' lives? War, migration, financial hardship? Understanding what they went through and how they dealt with those things can offer insight into why you might respond to stress in certain ways.
🖼️ See yourself as part of the bigger picture: Once you connect your behaviors to your family history, you can start to release what isn’t yours to carry. You’ll not only find clarity in your career but also develop healthier habits for leadership and personal growth.
If you feel stuck in cycles of anxiety, fear, or self-doubt at work, it’s worth considering that these patterns might not originate with you. Understanding where they come from allows you to break free—and that can be the key to unlocking your potential as a leader, entrepreneur, or professional.
Even though it didn’t start with you, it can end with you.
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✨ Inspired by: It Didn't Start With You by Mark Wolynn
📚 References / further reading:
Bowers, M. E., & Yehuda, R. (2015b). Intergenerational transmission of stress in humans. Neuropsychopharmacology, 41(1), 232–244. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2015.247
