Focus on the one thing you can control - yourself

When everything feels out of control, focus on what you can control: yourself.

Leadership - and life! - are often a whirlwind of competing priorities, shifting demands, and unexpected challenges. When that happens, it’s tempting to try to control everything - projects, other people, outcomes - but that path only leads to frustration. Or so I heard. I’ve never tried it [cough]…

Instead, the most effective leaders focus on the one thing they can control: themselves – which in turn gives them the best chance of influencing outcomes productively.

Emotional regulation

When tensions run high, great leaders stay calm. It’s not about suppressing difficult emotions but acknowledging them and responding thoughtfully. Simple habits, like pausing to breathe before reacting, can create space for better decisions.

Modelling behaviour

Teams look to leaders for cues. If you show resilience and focus, it inspires the same in others. Lead with integrity and purpose, and you’ll encourage a culture that mirrors those values.

Prioritising self-care

Are you racing to beat the aliens to the nuclear controls and thereby save civilisation as we know it? If not, you can probably take a break without the world ending.

Your ability to lead is directly tied to how well you care for yourself. Prioritising sleep, exercise, and reflection isn’t selfish - it’s productive.

When the storm rages, remember that your team doesn’t need you to control the chaos. They need you to lead with clarity and purpose.

For me, when the pressure is on, taking care to ensure there’s some blank space in my calendar can make the difference between overwhelm and clarity.

What’s one personal habit you rely on to keep grounded during challenging times?

Until next week, take care of yourself and others

Madeleine

I help accomplished professionals untangle difficult career questions so they can thrive in work and life.

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