The Fawn Response: When People Pleasing is Survival
Thu Feb 05 2026
Kamini Wood explores the concept of "fawning," a trauma response where individuals use people pleasing, perfectionism, and over-functioning to navigate stressful or unpredictable environments. Wood explains that for many high-functioning adults and leaders, these behaviors are often misidentified as personality strengths like reliability or high emotional intelligence when they are actually deeply ingrained survival adaptations designed to maintain safety by keeping others calm. The discussion distinguishes between "values-based care," which is rooted in choice, and "fawning," which is rooted in fear and leads to internal erosion, chronic exhaustion, and a lost sense of identity. Listeners are provided with practical tools to begin shifting away from these automatic reflexes, including nervous system regulation, setting "micro-boundaries," and practicing internal reassurance to reclaim their agency and build authentic connections.
🌟 Ready to take the next step on your journey? Book a call with Kamini today and discover how personalized coaching can help you overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and step into authentic self-leadership: https://www.kaminiwood.com/application/
✨ Discover more powerful personal growth tips, mindset tools, and inspirational guidance on my blog: https://www.kaminiwood.com/blog/
💬 What’s one insight from today’s video that resonates most with your own journey? Share it in the comments below—I’d love to hear your perspective.
🌿 Learn more about my transformational life coaching services and how I can support your journey to confidence, resilience, and authentic self-leadership: https://www.kaminiwood.com/services/
🔔 Subscribe to my official YouTube channel for weekly coaching insights, strategies for overcoming self-doubt, and empowering conversations that help you rise up and live joy your way: https://www.youtube.com/@KaminiWood-itsauthenticme?sub_confirmation=1
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Kamini Wood explores the concept of "fawning," a trauma response where individuals use people pleasing, perfectionism, and over-functioning to navigate stressful or unpredictable environments. Wood explains that for many high-functioning adults and leaders, these behaviors are often misidentified as personality strengths like reliability or high emotional intelligence when they are actually deeply ingrained survival adaptations designed to maintain safety by keeping others calm. The discussion distinguishes between "values-based care," which is rooted in choice, and "fawning," which is rooted in fear and leads to internal erosion, chronic exhaustion, and a lost sense of identity. Listeners are provided with practical tools to begin shifting away from these automatic reflexes, including nervous system regulation, setting "micro-boundaries," and practicing internal reassurance to reclaim their agency and build authentic connections. 🌟 Ready to take the next step on your journey? Book a call with Kamini today and discover how personalized coaching can help you overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and step into authentic self-leadership: https://www.kaminiwood.com/application/ ✨ Discover more powerful personal growth tips, mindset tools, and inspirational guidance on my blog: https://www.kaminiwood.com/blog/ 💬 What’s one insight from today’s video that resonates most with your own journey? Share it in the comments below—I’d love to hear your perspective. 🌿 Learn more about my transformational life coaching services and how I can support your journey to confidence, resilience, and authentic self-leadership: https://www.kaminiwood.com/services/ 🔔 Subscribe to my official YouTube channel for weekly coaching insights, strategies for overcoming self-doubt, and empowering conversations that help you rise up and live joy your way: https://www.youtube.com/@KaminiWood-itsauthenticme?sub_confirmation=1