The importance of staying calm under pressure.
We all aspire to it, but it is not always easy to do. Unfortunately, I am no exception to the rule.
Last week, I experienced a situation that greatly affected me. In the moment, I had an impulsive reaction and hurt one of the most important people in my life.
Fortunately, I had 90 minutes of car travel to reflect on the situation and try to understand why I had such an intense reaction.
The reason: I had received a personal attack.
It is difficult to stay calm when that happens, and our instincts often push us toward uncontrolled reactions.
The problem:
Nothing good happens when we lose our composure.
A calm leader = A stable team
A leader’s ability to stay calm can make the difference between chaos and success.
As leaders, we must remain calm to set an example for all our collaborators.
Our employees imitate our habits and ways of doing things.
My parents used to tell us when we were children:
“Do what I say and not what I do.”
Unfortunately, this is also the discourse of some managers.
It is difficult to ask your collaborators to stay calm when you are a ticking time bomb that explodes when stress rises and things go wrong.
When I was a manager in a company, my employees often came to see me to say that I gave the impression that nothing affected me.
Good!
That’s the image I wanted to project, but it was completely false.
I sometimes masked my emotions to avoid total panic. But the emotions were there… just hidden.
Staying calm allows you to keep a clear head and find the best solutions to your problems.
Stress and impulsiveness push you to make rushed decisions and, often, bad decisions.
The calm leader studies the situation, takes a breath or two before deciding on the best course of action. This pause allows everyone to calm down.
A calm manager is also greatly advantaged in communication and conflict resolution within the team. They listen and take into consideration the words of each person present before reacting, which fosters constructive discussions.
The fact that the leader and team members can maintain their composure helps prevent most misunderstandings and eliminates tensions within the team.
And what happens when you lose your calm and react impulsively?
You lose control, and the results on your credibility as a manager and leader can be catastrophic.
Who wants to follow a leader who shoots in all directions when pressure rises?
Who says thoughtless and irrational things?
Important reminder:
Gaining the trust of your collaborators takes a lot of work, but losing it happens quickly:
Through one wrong action, one wrong reaction.
How staying calm helped me increase my credibility
I once applied for an internal promotion and did not get it. Up to that point, nothing unusual.
But during the interview where I was informed of the news, the manager started to criticize me personally. For an hour.
I stayed calm. I took notes. I requested a meeting with his superior and objectively presented the facts.
The message that was supposed to be delivered to me had evidently not been conveyed correctly because the manager had been instructed to inform me to keep up my good work for a future promotion opportunity.
I did not get that promotion, but a few months later… it was my turn.
Why?
Because I showed that I could handle pressure with composure and professionalism.
The conclusion: A leader’s serenity is a strength.
It is about setting an example, inspiring confidence, and creating an environment where challenges are tackled with clarity and efficiency.
And you, have you ever had to stay calm in a difficult situation?
Discover the 5 Must-Ask Questions for Happy Teams
Do you want to better understand what motivates your team members and could help you create a happy team? My practical guide, 5 Must-Ask Questions for Happy Teams, is designed to provide you with simple and effective tools to:
- Create a climate of trust within your team
- Identify the true needs and aspirations of your employees
- Encourage meaningful conversations that foster collaboration
- Boost engagement and collective performance
- Anticipate and resolve challenges before they become obstacles
Carl-Michael Tessier M. Sc., MBA
Coach in high-performance team development and tailor-made support
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