Tag: leadership skills

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Decision Making Under Pressure: How to Stay Clear When It Counts

A focused businesswoman reviews sticky notes on a glass wall in a modern office, symbolising calm thinking, clarity and structured decision-making under pressure.

When things move fast, decisions can start to feel like guesswork. Deadlines close in, information changes by the hour and the pressure to get it right builds quickly.

It’s easy to lose perspective in moments like that. Yet strong decision-making under pressure isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about staying clear when others can’t.

That clarity is what separates reaction from leadership.

Slow down to speed up

Pressure often tricks us into thinking that speed is the same as progress. The truth is that rushing usually leads to rework.

A study by *McKinsey found that executives who made decisions “slowly but with conviction” achieved better outcomes 65% of the time compared to those who acted fast but with uncertainty.

Taking a moment to pause to check assumptions, confirm priorities or sense-check your options can save hours of recovery later. Clarity often hides in the seconds we think we can’t spare.

Simplify the options

When stress rises, choice overload can make even simple decisions feel complex. The best leaders know how to strip problems back to their core by asking questions like:

  • What problem are we really solving?
  • What outcome matters most right now?
  • What happens if we do nothing?

This kind of simplification cuts through noise and helps your team focus on what really matters.

Trust the process, not just instinct

Experience gives intuition, but process gives consistency. The two work best together.

Whether you use a framework like SWOT, cost-benefit mapping or a simple “pros and cons” list, having a repeatable approach keeps emotion from running the show.

It also makes it easier to explain your reasoning later on. Things like a sign of calm or confident leadership when the stakes are high can go a long way.

As *Daniel Kahneman once said, “Nothing in life is as important as you think it is while you are thinking about it.” The moment might feel huge, but perspective comes from structure.

Staying clear when it counts

Pressure never disappears, but clarity can cut through it.

The leaders who make great calls under stress don’t rely on luck or gut feeling alone. They pause, simplify and use clear processes to guide their judgment.

Because when everyone else speeds up, the smartest thing you can do is slow down.

Want to go deeper?

If you’re ready to sharpen your thinking and make smarter decisions under pressure, explore my course How to Employ Strategic Thinking. It’s designed to help you build confidence, clarity and focus when it matters most.

*Sources

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Building Adaptable Teams in a Changing World

A diverse team of professionals collaborate in a bright modern office, gathered around a laptop in discussion, symbolising teamwork, adaptability, and learning in action.

Change isn’t slowing down. New tools, shifting markets and evolving customer expectations mean that what worked last year might not work next quarter.

The teams that thrive aren’t just the most skilled, they’re the most adaptable. They learn fast, adjust easily and stay focused even when things feel uncertain.

Adaptability isn’t luck. It’s something leaders can build.

Create safety before speed

When change hits, some teams freeze while others adapt. The difference often comes down to psychological safety. Whether people feel comfortable speaking up, asking questions and trying new things without fear of failure.

Research by Google’s *Project Aristotle found that psychological safety was the single biggest factor behind high-performing teams. Without it, even the most talented people hold back.

Adaptable teams move fast because they trust that learning is valued more than getting it right every time.

Build feedback into the flow

Teams that grow quickly don’t wait for annual reviews to learn what’s working. They share feedback often. Short, useful and focused on improvement.

This rhythm helps teams adjust before small issues become big ones. It also keeps learning continuous instead of episodic.

Try simple habits like quick end-of-week reflections, “what went well / what to tweak” check-ins or team retros after key milestones. The goal isn’t to criticise. It’s to keep improving together.

Reward learning, not perfection

If success is always defined as “getting it right,” your team will naturally play it safe. But when you recognise learning, experimentation and progress, you build resilience.

Adaptable teams aren’t afraid to try new tools, suggest ideas or test better ways of working. They know that effort and insight are valued just as much as outcomes.

As one of my favourite quotes puts it, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” — Albert Einstein.

The leadership challenge

In a world that keeps shifting, the best thing you can give your team isn’t certainty, it’s confidence.

Confidence that they can adapt, learn and thrive no matter what comes next.

When you build adaptability into your culture, you’re not just preparing for change. You’re shaping a team that grows stronger because of it.

Want to go deeper?

If you’re ready to help your team stay motivated, engaged and adaptable, take a look at my course How to Develop Your Team. It’s built to help you unlock long-term performance through trust, feedback and growth.

*Sources