Pause, Reflect, Lead: Lessons from Angela Merkel for 2025

Happy New Year! The beginning of a new year is often a time for reflection, a "new year, new me" mindset, and setting ambitious goals. Fair play to you if that approach works and motivates you. I prefer to ease into the year, take some time to reflect, and carefully consider my intentions before springing into action. This measured approach aligns with something I’ve recently taken to heart from Angela Merkel’s autobiography, Freedom.

The Gift of Reflection

Reading has always been a source of joy and a way to escape, a gift instilled in me by my parents. Over Christmas, I received Freedom as a present—all 687 pages of it. As someone fascinated by Angela Merkel’s leadership during her tenure as Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021, I devoured the book and finished it by New Year’s Eve. One stood out among the many leadership lessons Merkel embodies: her ability to pause, gather her thoughts, and respond thoughtfully rather than react emotionally.

Patience as a Leadership Strategy

One striking example from the book is her approach to coalition talks after the 2005 German elections. Despite then-Chancellor Gerhard Schr?der’s unkind behaviour during negotiations, Merkel chose patience and restraint. She wrote, “I told myself, wait and see what happens. Don’t get riled up, speak only when you’re asked a question, see how things play out.” This advice feels just as relevant in today’s workplaces as it did in the political arena. It’s a reminder that emotional regulation is a personal strength and a strategic leadership skill.

Managing Emotions in Challenging Situations

In my role, I often find myself in emotionally charged situations, whether it’s advising on redundancies, navigating disciplinary cases, or investigating harassment claims. People frequently look to me for immediate answers, and I’ve learned the importance of managing my emotions to ensure I’m providing the best possible advice and support. That said, I’m not immune to moments where tiredness or external pressures lead to less-than-ideal reactions. Reading Freedom reinforced stepping back, pausing, and responding with clarity and composure.

Emotional Intelligence: A Key Leadership Skill

Leaders, in particular, are constantly pulled in multiple directions by their teams, clients, and organisational demands. The pressure can sometimes lead to emotional reactions that don’t serve anyone well—losing one's temper or venting frustration on colleagues. These reactions can erode trust and hinder leadership effectiveness. Angela Merkel’s example highlights a better path: gather the facts, listen actively, and speak when you have something meaningful to contribute.

Learning emotional intelligence (EQ) can help you on this journey. A great resource is Daniel Goleman’s book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Matters More Than IQ, which I return to repeatedly. If you’re interested, you can find it on Amazon here.

The Value of Coaching

Investing in a coach is another powerful way to develop as a leader. A few years back, I went on a journey with a coach to better understand my values, leadership style, and what was important to me in my career. It truly helped me become a more successful leader. Coaching provides a space to reflect, grow, and build the skills to navigate complex challenges in the workplace.

If you’re interested in hiring a coach in 2025, I’m a fully qualified coach who would be happy to discuss this further. You can reach out to me via my LinkedIn.

A Thoughtful Start to 2025

As we enter a new year, perhaps we can all take a page from Merkel’s book and practice patience and thoughtful responses. Let’s aim to channel our energy into constructive actions rather than letting emotions drive our decisions. This intentional approach benefits us as individuals and strengthens the teams and organisations we’re part of.

So, here’s to 2025: a year of thoughtful responses, mindful leadership, and continued learning. I’d love to connect with you to explore how these principles can enhance your professional journey. Let’s make this a year of thoughtful growth together.