The Power of Slowing Down: A Leadership Lesson in Emotional Intelligence

In the fast-paced world of leadership, we often find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of priorities, deadlines, and mounting pressures. As leaders, we're expected to make quick decisions, maintain composure, and guide our teams effectively. But what happens when our emotional intelligence is put to the ultimate test? A recent experience taught me a valuable lesson about the profound impact of slowing down in leadership.

The Storm Arrives

My day began like many others – filled with optimism, motivation, and positive energy. Then came the email that changed everything. In an instant, my emotional state plummeted from confident enthusiasm to overwhelming stress. With a important speech looming later that day, I found myself drowning in a sea of emotions and responsibilities.

Despite delivering the speech as scheduled, I was barely present in the moment. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by the challenge at hand. As someone with a natural inclination toward quick action and immediate response, I faced a situation that demanded the exact opposite of my instincts.

The Turning Point

The real breakthrough came when I recognized the need to resist my impulse for immediate action. Instead of rushing to respond, I chose to:

1. Pause and collect facts
2. Distinguish truth from assumptions
3. Seek expert advice
4. Understand my rights and duties

The operations team was pressing for immediate decisions, but something within me recognized the wisdom in restraint. When some subject matter experts were unavailable, rather than proceeding with incomplete information, I made the bold choice to stop the job entirely until we could gather more comprehensive data.

The Power of Restraint

This decision to halt operations – though seemingly counterintuitive in a culture that values speed and immediate action – proved to be the wisest choice. By slowing down the process, I created space for:

• Thorough information gathering
• Consultation with technical experts
• Clear-headed decision making
• Strategic redirection of resources

Leadership Lessons Learned

The irony wasn't lost on me – as someone who coaches others on emotional intelligence, I found myself struggling with these very skills in a critical moment. This experience reinforced several crucial leadership lessons:

1. Emotional intelligence isn't about never feeling overwhelmed; it's about how we handle ourselves when we do.
2. The fastest response isn't always the best response.
3. True leadership sometimes means having the courage to slow things down.
4. Even experts must continuously practice what they preach.

Moving Forward

This experience has not only shaped my personal leadership approach but has also enriched my ability to coach others. It serves as a powerful reminder that leadership isn't about maintaining perfect composure at all times, but rather about making conscious choices in challenging moments.

The next time you feel the world crushing down around you, remember that slowing down isn't a sign of weakness – it's often the strongest leadership move you can make. Take the time to gather information, consult experts, and make informed decisions. Your team, your organization, and your own well-being will thank you for it.

Remember, leadership isn't a sprint; it's a marathon that requires pacing, wisdom, and sometimes, the courage to slow down.

#IKIGAI #Leadership #Kokorozashi #EmotionalIntelligence #DevelUpLeaders

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DevelUpLeaders ?

Aurelien MANGANO

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Executive & Leadership Coach

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I transform MANAGERS into LEADERS, empowering them to INSPIRE their TEAMS to EXECUTE their VISION.

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