In this episode of ShiftShapers, host David A. Saltzman sits down with Reuven Shelef, CEO of Out of the Box Consulting and creator of the Untangling Complex Challenges methodology. Reuven shares why our brains default to negativity when faced with uncertainty—and how to move from emotional reactivity to clarity and action.

With a blend of logic and emotional insight, Reuven helps leaders and teams understand how to recognize internal blockers, reframe stress, and break through stuck patterns—professionally and personally.

More from Reuven Shelef: https://ReuvenShelef.com/

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🔑 Key Takeaways from This Episode

📌 Negativity Comes First—By Design
 Our brains are wired for survival, not solutions. Recognizing this helps us shift toward creative thinking.

📌 You’re Not Powerless
 Reuven explains how we can reclaim control—even when external systems and policies feel overwhelming.

📌 The Story Is the Stress
 Often, it’s not the facts that hurt us—it’s the story we tell ourselves about those facts.

📌 Getting Unstuck Starts With Awareness
 A simple process of brain dumping and categorization reveals surprising root causes—and new options.

📌 Leaders Must Create Space
 Inviting authentic conversation and emotional safety at work can unlock powerful transformation.

⏱️ In This Episode
 00:00 Why people get stuck under pressure
 02:00 Childhood conditioning and survival wiring
 04:30 Different brains, different blockers
 07:00 Logical vs. emotional approaches to problem solving
 10:30 What we can control (and what we can't)
 13:00 The danger of unchecked internal stories
 15:30 Reuven’s tools: fact vs. meaning, brain dumps, and mapping
 18:00 Spotting hidden challenges
 20:30 Leading with empathy and creating psychological safety