Your response to pressure situations is directly proportional to your ability to problem-solve; to live in the solution; to influence and to lead.
Yes, it’s so important to — as the great, Zig Ziglar taught us — consciously choose to “respond instead of react.”
That will greatly increase your own personal effectiveness.
But wait … as the infomercials say … there’s more!
Just as importantly, those looking to you for guidance — as a person to learn from and to emulate — will most likely model the example you are setting.
So, what are you teaching your proteges? What are they learning from their mentor?
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The thing that helps me the most, in pressure situations, is reminding myself “It’s all good!” Taking a deep breath and believing it IS all good, shifts my focus from panic to observation. It’s amazing how, when we look for something good, we’re more inclined to find It. I like to believe that my “proteges” aka kids have seen me respond this way in times of stress and have adopted the “It’s all good” mindset. I might just ask them 😀 thanks, Bob!
Linda: Thank you. Teaching ourselves to immediately reframe into the mode you suggested is a huge help, indeed. Thank you for sharing your always-great wisdom. I know you are a great mentor to your children. You are also a great mentor and coach to the rest of us, as well!
Brief yet very powerful!! One of my favorite lessons from you …. “What are you role modeling for those who are watching and learning from you?” What you do teaches a bigger lesson than what you say … Changed my life!
Edie: WOW – thank you. What an awesome compliment! And, like Linda you’ve set a wonderful example both for your kids and for all of us whose lives you’ve touched!
Bob,
As a “Recovering HR Director”, as I have come to call myself occasionally, I learned the lesson years ago to stop and think before reacting. Unless life and limb were on the line, I always allowed myself time to sleep on it before firing anyone. (Of course, I learned this lesson the hard way.) It is a practice I use to this day and I coach clients to use and I am teaching my young adult children as they enter the working world. Rarely can you make a decision that is in the best and highest interest of all involved if you are just reacting. Thanks for another great reminder!
Jennifer: Thank you for sharing your very profound and wisdom-filled thoughts with us. Your clients and children are fortunate to have you in their lives. As, of course, is your puppy, Tabasco! 🙂
Bob, it is my understanding that when a person responds with strong emotions like panic, anger, and fear to any situation, the brain switches off the left brain function (logic, reasoning, etc.) and operates in the right brain emotional mode. Knowing that has helped me temper my reactions…most of the time.
Pat: Thank you and welcome to the discussion. I don’t have the personal knowledge to know if that is totally true or not (other than the general “left brain/right brain” info we’ve read about) but, regardless, if immediately thinking about that when an uncomfortable situation takes place helps to put you in a state of calm and positive responsiveness, then that is awesome! Keep up the great work!
Since I work from home, I consider my two teenage daughters my proteges. When I am under pressure, trying to meet deadlines, and basically going crazy – I step away from my desk and go for a walk or just relax and clear my mind. Then I pick up a pad of paper and list my priorities. Writing them down and crossing them off as I complete each task works so well to focus and see what is truly important in the moment and what can wait. I notice my girls doing the same thing – so I think they may have been secretly watching me over the years!
You are a great example of that…
You are exactly as You are On stage
as You are off stage…
Exactly under HIGH Pressure situations is a GREAT
place to see what type of Mentor YOU have…
Are You… doing any of the following… and thinking
NOBODY Is watching
are You screaming at Your staff because something hasn’t gone right
during your production and You are just getting ready to go back onto
stage and someone from your audience just happen to have seen that…
Hmmm
Soooo what message did You just teach that person who paid $$$
to hear You speak about Leadership etc…
Carly: Thank you. Very kind of you to say that, my friend! And, scary to know the other example actually does happen. LOL
Laurie: Thank you for sharing that with us. You found something that works for you and have used it very successfully. That’s so key. Way to go! And, indeed, your daughters have been watching their mentor and modeling her actions. Congratulations to a great Mommy! 🙂
Bob,
This is a great posting. A lot of people find themselves in stressful situations and then pass this stress onto their clients and members of their team. We are on stage all the time, especially with the introduction of social media. Every interaction is a reflection of ourselves and our business. We are constantly giving out messages about our business. Last week when working with a sales director, I emphasized the point that his sales team are copying his behaviour. His sales team are looking for leadership. He expects his team to behave one way, yet believes he can behave in a different way. We all learn from those who lead us.
Pete: Thank you for your kind feedback about the post, and for sharing your thoughts and wisdom with us. Yes, interesting about the sales director, expecting his team to behave differently from the example he is setting for them.
I am learning fabulous things from my mentor. For example, pressure situations, influence and leadership. 🙂
Such an important post. Thank you Bob.
Dondi: It’s always such an honor for me to receive kind feedback like that from MY mentor (that would be you!) 🙂
When pressure situations really hit me. I attempt to give it to God and draw on His strength. If He is for me who can be against me. I can do all things through Him. El Cid helped too. Guess that is why our Lord put me there. Just a thought to share.
Donald: Thank you. Faith in our Creator is always a Source of calmness and clarity.