The Power of Calm

If you ever have been in a crisis situation, you may have experienced the power of calm. Emotions run high, people are confused and there is a tendency to take knee-jerk actions that only make things worse. It is difficult to see a clear way forward.

In these situations, the person who remains the most calm will naturally emerge as leader.?

Some of us have a natural capacity to find and project calm in the chaos. For others, this is less obvious, and our emotions take over. While our emotions are our most precious guide in many ways, in times of crisis we must know how to take them by the hand to make them work for us. I know this is not always easy – I have been in crisis situations in my personal life and as a leader, and I have supported many of my clients through such situations. Let me therefore share with you these four tools for finding calm, which I have found most useful over time:

1. Connect to purpose: if you feel your emotions taking over, connect to the bigger purpose of whatever you are involved in. In an operational crisis; in a conflict situation; in a difficult negotiation: what is at stake and what are you there to achieve? Answering this question will help you get back on solid ground. ?
2. Accept what is:?crises happen and difficult moments are part of our lives. If we accept that fact and don’t “argue with fate”, we do not lose energy on this futile argument and we have already gained access to greater calm. It is what it is, and now let’s look at what we do with it. ?
3. Get into your body: by getting into your body, you can immediately generate greater calm. This is because getting into your body brings you into the present moment, and in this present moment, there is a sense of stillness and calm. From this calm, you can take a different perspective on the larger field, in which the crisis is unfolding.? Try it out: a simple way is to touch something consciously with your hands or gently rub your fingertips together. And observe how this makes you more present, and calmer. ?
4. Breathe: yes, mastering your breathing can have a tremendous effect on your mind and emotions. Whenever strong emotions arise, try to simply breathe in and breathe out, to feel how your breath enters and leaves your body. You will feel how gently, your emotional state will calm down, your body will feel more relaxed and your thoughts clearer.

I wish you as little crises as possible in your life and leadership. But should you find yourself in a challenging situation, try out one of these techniques. Or better still, play with them when things are calm – on your own or with the help of a coach - so you have them at hand when the fire is on. ?

P.S.?

In our advanced leadership programme Artemis, you can learn how to prepare yourself for leading in crisis by building your skills to manage your energy and your emotions. The programme's second edition is now in full swing. Contact us for more information or if you want to secure your spot for the next edition.

UPCOMING PROGRAMMES & WORKSHOPS

Programme ARTEMIS? - second edition in course, next being scheduled.

This?programme?is the next step in your?Leadership Journey, taking you beyond what you currently know about yourself, your possibilities, and your potential as a leader.?It is a?deep journey in mastering Leadership.

READ MORE AND SIGN UP HERE

Inspiring Women Peer Group Coaching Programme Next programme January, 2024

"Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life." AMY POEHLER

READ MORE AND SIGN UP HERE

Audacious Leaders Retreat Date: 16-19 May, 2024

Take a break from your daily routine and come to experience something totally different. When you register for our Audacious Leaders Retreats, you are signing up for daring to lead through unconventional thinking and turning an impossible dream into a possible Action plan.?

RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE

#Leadership #Learning #Impact

ADAPTAA Alina Addison Carmen Balacianu Tatiana Poliakova