“What looks like controlling behaviour may just be fear in disguise.” Compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress can contribute to emotional exhaustion and reduced wellbeing among healthcare professionals (Xie et al., 2021; Figley, 2012). Recognising post stress behaviour is vital for teams. Understanding how prolonged exposure to high-stress roles shapes behaviour enables colleagues to respond with empathy rather than frustration. Remember, what looks like controlling behaviour may just be fear in disguise.