how to problem solve under pressure

• Awards Season
• Big Stories
• Pop Culture
• Video Games
• Celebrities

Sudoku for Beginners: How to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

Are you a beginner when it comes to solving Sudoku puzzles? Do you find yourself frustrated and unsure of where to start? Fear not, as we have compiled a comprehensive guide on how to improve your problem-solving skills through Sudoku.

Understanding the Basics of Sudoku

Before we dive into the strategies and techniques, let’s first understand the basics of Sudoku. A Sudoku puzzle is a 9×9 grid that is divided into nine smaller 3×3 grids. The objective is to fill in each row, column, and smaller grid with numbers 1-9 without repeating any numbers.

Starting Strategies for Beginners

As a beginner, it can be overwhelming to look at an empty Sudoku grid. But don’t worry. There are simple starting strategies that can help you get started. First, look for any rows or columns that only have one missing number. Fill in that number and move on to the next row or column with only one missing number. Another strategy is looking for any smaller grids with only one missing number and filling in that number.

Advanced Strategies for Beginner/Intermediate Level

Once you’ve mastered the starting strategies, it’s time to move on to more advanced techniques. One technique is called “pencil marking.” This involves writing down all possible numbers in each empty square before making any moves. Then use logic and elimination techniques to cross off impossible numbers until you are left with the correct answer.

Another advanced technique is “hidden pairs.” Look for two squares within a row or column that only have two possible numbers left. If those two possible numbers exist in both squares, then those two squares must contain those specific numbers.

Benefits of Solving Sudoku Puzzles

Not only is solving Sudoku puzzles fun and challenging, but it also has many benefits for your brain health. It helps improve your problem-solving skills, enhances memory and concentration, and reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

In conclusion, Sudoku is a great way to improve your problem-solving skills while also providing entertainment. With these starting and advanced strategies, you’ll be able to solve even the toughest Sudoku puzzles. So grab a pencil and paper and start sharpening those brain muscles.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

MORE FROM ASK.COM

• Personal Development
• Sales Training
• Business Training
• Time Management
• Leadership Training
• Book Writing
• Public Speaking
• Live Speaker Training With Brian
• See Brian Speak
• Coaching Programs
• Become a Coach
• Personal Success
• Sales Success
• Business Success
• Leadership Success

How to Remain Calm Under Pressure & Overcome Problems in 9 Steps

When times get tough and you are faced with any of life’s complicated problems it can be hard to stay motivated…

How do you stay motivated and keep your cool when things are going badly around you?

Here are some tips on how to stay positive and motivated when times get tough and you face problems. If you want to learn how to overcome your problems and stay motivated, keep reading…

1) Don’t Blame Others

Accept responsibility and take charge. You especially must keep yourself positive and focused. You do this by reminding yourself and repeating these words:

‘‘I am responsible! I am responsible! I am responsible!’’

Above all, refuse to blame anyone for anything. Anger and negative emotions of all kinds are dependent upon blame for their very existence. As soon as you stop blaming other people for what has happened and take responsibility for the future, your negative emotions cease, your mind becomes calm and clear, and you begin to make better decisions.

As soon as you stop blaming other people for what has happened and take responsibility for the future, your negative emotions cease, your mind becomes calm and clear, and you begin to make better decisions.

2) How to Remain Calm Under Pressure

The starting point of staying calm under pressure is for you to refuse to react automatically and unthinkingly. Instead, take a deep breath to calm your mind and then think carefully about your next words and actions. Imagine that everyone is watching.

Imagine that this situation is a test to see what you are truly made of. Imagine that everyone is waiting to see how you will respond.

Resolve to set a good example, be a role model for others, to demonstrate the correct way to deal with a major problem, as if you were giving a lesson.

3) Get the Facts

Instead of overreacting, keep yourself calm by asking questions of the other people involved. Listen patiently to the answers as you use your problem-solving skills to find a solution.

If there is a solution, your job is to find it by fully understanding what has happened before you respond.

4) Ask Questions

Ask key questions and listen carefully to the answers. Here are some that will help you get at the facts: What is the situation exactly?

• What is the situation exactly?
• What has happened?
• How did it happen?
• When did it happen?
• Where did it happen?
• What are the facts?
• How do we know that these facts are accurate?
• Who was involved?
• Who is responsible for doing (or not doing) certain things?

The very act of asking questions and gathering facts keeps you calm and increases your courage and confidence.

The more facts you have, the stronger and more capable you will feel about making good decisions to solve the problem and get through the crunch.

5) Write it Down

Begin by asking, ‘‘What, exactly, is the problem?’’ If you are working by yourself, write down a clear statement of the problem on a piece of paper.

We find that if you can get the problem down on paper it starts to solve itself. Then write down what all of the possible solutions to the problem.

You will find that when you write out your problem and solutions, you will be able to identify the best way to solve it quickly. It may not seem like a problem at all after you write it down.

6) Try Something Different

By trying something different or taking a different approach to solving a problem. You may find a new, more beneficial way to go about things.

When something fails, by taking a different approach and solving what went wrong the first time, will help you improve over the long run.

It might also help to take a break from solving the problem altogether. I find that motivational quotes and inspirational images can recharge my energy, which allows me to return to the problem at hand with full vigor.

7) Communicate With Others

Sometimes, talking over the problem with a spouse or trusted friend will help immensely to keep you calm and controlled. Go for a long walk and review the situation, examining it from every angle, seeking a possible solution. Remain optimistic, no matter what is going on.

Look for something good in the problem or situation. Very often, what appears to be a major setback is an opportunity in disguise. The complete failure of a project, process, or business venture may be exactly what you need because it may compel you to channel your time and resources in another direction.

8) Make a Decision

No matter what happens, seek the valuable lesson in every difficulty and setback.

Within every problem you face, there is the seed of an equal or greater benefit or advantage . When you discipline yourself to look for the good in the situation, and to seek the valuable lessons that the situation or crisis might contain, you automatically remain calm, positive, and optimistic.

As a result, all the powers of your wonderful mind remain available to you to solve the problem or resolve the crisis.

9) Get Busy Solving the Problem

Get so busy taking action that and solving the problem and bringing about a solution, that you don’t have time to worry or think about the problem anymore. The only real antidote to worry, is purposeful action in the direction of your goals.

Instead of becoming upset or doubting yourself and your abilities, decide to take action, any action, to resolve the difficulty and get yourself through the crunch. Remind yourself that problems come not to obstruct, but to instruct. Related article: The 10-Step Process to Solve Any Proble m

When times get tough and you are faced with any of life’s complicated problems, stay motivated knowing that using this technique you can recognize and develop strategies to solve any problem.

How do you solve your problems and stay motivated? Join the conversation below.

If you want to learn how to build greater confidence in yourself and keep calm under pressure, click the button below to download my Self-Confidence Assessment .

« Previous Post 4 Easy Steps to Reach Your New Year’s Goals & Perform Better Next Post » Using The Law of Reciprocity and Other Persuasion Techniques Correctly

About Brian Tracy — Brian is recognized as the top sales training and personal success authority in the world today. He has authored more than 60 books and has produced more than 500 audio and video learning programs on sales, management, business success and personal development, including worldwide bestseller The Psychology of Achievement. Brian's goal is to help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined. You can follow him on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest , Linkedin and Youtube .

• Most Recent
• The Power Of Positive Thinking
• Proven Ways to Instantly Improve Performance at Work
• How To Become A Public Speaker: Tips to Get Started And Grow Your Speaking Career
• Public Speaking Courses: Everything To Know & How to Find the Best One
• How to Sell and Become a Master Salesperson
• Free Webinar: How To Write a Book and Become a Published Author
• Free Video Series: 3-Part Sales Mastery Training Series
• Free Assessment: The Confidence Factor
• Free Assessment: Discovering Your Talents

Browse Categories

• Financial Success

Follow Brian & Join the Discussion

• Free Resources
• Best Sellers
• Knowledge Base
• Shipping & Returns
• Privacy Policy
• About Brian
• Brian Recommends

Your Privacy is Guaranteed. We will never give, lease or sell your personal information. Period!

© Copyright 2001-2023 Brian Tracy International. All Rights Reserved.

6 Tips to Work Effectively Under Pressure

Some industries naturally lead to higher stress levels, but high-pressure situations can happen in any  job . Left unchecked, that pressure can start to eat away at your physical and mental health, leaving you feeling stressed and physically unwell. Figuring out how to handle pressure without sacrificing your performance takes practice and a few key strategies.

Here are some tips to get better at handling and performing well under pressure in the workplace:

1. Reframe the Situation

High-pressure situations tend to make everything seem worse. Instead of looking at that upcoming deadline as another task to complete, you see it as a make-or-break situation that could end your  career . Sure, some situations do carry a lot of weight, but most of the daily things that stress you out at work aren’t do-or-die situations.

Try to take away the threatening aspect of the situation, and look at it as an opportunity to put your skills to work or a challenge to conquer. If you’re worried or afraid of the situation, you’re less likely to perform your best. That negative pressure can sap your energy and make the task more challenging. Change the way you think about it, and you’re better prepared to tackle it.

2. Look at Worst-Case Scenarios

When you’re under a lot of pressure, you often have a sense of doom about the outcome. But if you really stop to think about the worst-case scenario, you may realize it’s not that bad. Say you’re in charge of organizing a big meeting at your office, but you forget to book the conference room and someone else books it first. You beat yourself up over it and let the stress become overwhelming, but the worst thing that might happen is you have to get creative and find a new location. It could turn out better, too, with the other person agreeing to reschedule their event so you can have the conference room as originally planned.

Thinking about worst-case scenarios can also help you prepare for the unexpected. If you have a big presentation coming up, some potential problems could be forgetting what you’re supposed to say, losing your  PowerPoint  presentation, or spilling your coffee on your lap beforehand. Now, think of ways you can be prepared for those situations in case they do happen. Maybe you practice your presentation a little more and come prepared with note cards as a backup. You might save your  PowerPoint  presentation in multiple places to ensure you have a copy. Perhaps you choose water instead of coffee, sip carefully or pack an extra set of clothes. Use your worry to empower yourself and prepare for the worst thing that could happen.

3. Make a Plan

It’s easy to waste your time worrying or feeling overwhelmed by the situation. Instead of thinking about how it might turn out, focus on creating an action plan. Break down what you need to do to accomplish the task. Then, figure out how you’re going to complete each step to get there. Prioritizing the tasks helps you decide what needs the most attention. Focus on starting and checking off items on your to-do list. Making that progress can give you confidence and make it easier to keep going. Keep your mind on the things you can control rather than worrying about the factors that are out of your control.

4. Use Stress-Relief Strategies

Strategies that help calm you and ease the stress can make it easier to handle high-pressure work situations. Even though you feel like you need to devote all your time to the project, taking a break to exercise, meditate or breathe deeply can help lower your stress and let you work more efficiently. Listening to music can have a powerful effect on your mood and  outlook . Find a type of music that calms you if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Some songs have a motivating effect, making you feel like you can conquer anything. Think about what type of attitude change you need, and find the music to help you achieve it.

5. Step Back

When you’re feeling too much pressure, take a step back and slow down. That little step can give you the clarity you need to figure out the best approach to the situation. If you rush into the project to get it done quickly, you may end up making a mistake or missing an easier solution to the situation. By taking a step back, you can formulate a strong plan to get through this high-pressure situation. That moment can also help you realize the situation isn’t as challenging as you think.

6. Reach Out for Help

Some high-pressure situations call for a little help. Talk with someone about the pressure you’re feeling, and it may be enough to improve your  outlook . Someone who has been in a similar situation may have advice to help you through it. If possible, consider delegating some of your tasks to other team members so you aren’t so overwhelmed. For example, you might ask a colleague to pull numbers for you while you’re compiling your presentation for an upcoming stakeholder meeting. Even a little help can make a big difference in your  outlook .

Final Words

Be careful not to confuse pressure with  stress   – they are quite different. Pressure can be a very positive quality. Experiencing it, yet feeling calm and in control, can spur people on to achieve great things. It’s only when it keeps building and that sense of calm and order is replaced by a feeling of being out of control that stress happens, and has a wholly negative effect. Remember pressure at work will always be present, it is how you manage these that truly counts.

“You guys were great. You have such a wide range of professionals with different specialties; it was easy to get the help I needed.”

“Happy with my experience. My therapist is easy to reach, she responds quickly and finds time to talk to me while having a busy schedule.”

“Senya is a very patient and nurturing therapist. I felt comfortable working with him, and hope to return as soon as possible.”

“It was a fantastic experience from start to finish. I appreciated the consult before getting matched with Dr. Kelava, who facilitated important and useful conversations that I valued highly. Thank you!”

“I had a good experience with SF Stress and Anxiety Center. It helped me identify what sort of mental health problems were contributing to my anxiety and motivated me to find a professional who specialized in my specific condition.”

“Senya asked insightful questions, was extremely empathetic and did a great job of reflecting what he was hearing, and was very impartial (couples counseling). We are truly looking forward to continuing our work with Senya.”

“Great – Senya was amazing, so insightful and helpful. I’m so grateful to him for giving me the tools to manage my stress.”

“Cassie did a great job of trying to get to know me, and made it easy for me to open up in our first conversation.”

“Dr. Lauren is wonderful. She’s helped me through a very difficult time in my life with great care.”

" * " indicates required fields

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get tips for dealing with stress and anxiety and keep up with upcoming events, courses, and webinars.

• One Session Therapy
• How Therapy Works
• Child & Teen Anxiety
• ADD & ADHD Testing for Children
• Adult Anxiety
• Work Anxiety
• LGBTQ+ Anxiety & Depression Clinic
• Couples Counseling
• Postpartum Anxiety & Depression Clinic
• Sex Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Mindfulness Based Therapy
• Stress Management Training & Consulting
• Grief Counseling and Support
• Onsite Therapy for Employees
• ADHD Testing for Adults
• Autism Testing for Adults
• Neuropsychological Testing
• Testing FAQs
• Carelon Behavioral Health
• Aetna Insurance
• Why SF Stress?
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Frequently Asked Questions
• San Francisco
• Join Our Team
• Testimonials
• The Podcast

• About Guthrie-Jensen
• Our Technology
• Public Seminars
• Public Seminar Schedules
• Customized In-House Training
• Assessments + Consulting

INSIGHTS: The Guthrie-Jensen Blog

8 tips to work effectively under pressure.

Pressure is inevitable at work. Now and then, we find ourselves dealing with an office situation where we have too much on our plate but have so little time. This and similar scenarios can cause employees to feel high levels of stress and pressure, which can hurt your team’s performance more than you realize.

Excessive stress or pressure could turn your team members unproductive or compromise the quality of their outputs. Worse, they could feel demotivated, and the constant feelings of anxiety and panic brought by stress could further slow them down.

As a manager, it is your job to make sure all your team members can ease their stress and develop their personal resilience. In this post we offer tips to help your team maintain composure and cope better with stress and pressure in the workplace.

1. Maintain control and focus.

This may be easier said than done, especially when tasks come in all at once or when your employees feel overwhelmed with the amount of work that they have to do.

However, there are ways to help develop awareness about the situation and practice concentration techniques. You could recommend the following work productivity tips to your members:

• Avoid negative thoughts that put one in a state of needless worrying. Instead of thinking that it’s impossible for them to finish their work assignment on time, remind them of the other times when they had faced the same challenge and succeeded.
• Eliminate outside distractions such as your chat group or an after-work event scheduled later in the day. Whatever it is that’s causing your employees to feel distracted, tell your employees to block them off immediately on their radar.

2. Create a plan.

Although the individual requirements of tasks may vary, it’s still advisable that your team comes up with an overall plan. It can serve as everyone’s guide on how to proceed with the work assignment systematically.

You could consider making a checklist to help your group see the resources you will need, your estimated time allotment for each activity, item, or section, and other relevant details.

3. Evaluate your priorities.

You might have come across a situation when an employee reached out to you for help regarding multiple high-priority tasks. Advise your employees to resist the urge to use their juggling skills – think of a juggler throwing several balls into the air and trying to catch them all with their two hands. Who knows when somebody is going to drop one of those balls?

To help you organize your schedule, you could discuss with your team which ones are the most urgent that needs to be addressed first. As a manager, you should help your members sort the urgent tasks from the less critical ones.

4. Avoid procrastination…

Procrastination is an often-used defense mechanism, which only adds to work pressure in the long run as unfinished tasks keep mounting.

You need to remind employees that getting started is the hardest part, but when they get past that first step, the rest becomes more manageable.

5. …but know when to take a breather.

Life coaches highlight the need for balance in everything that we do. The same principle of life balance applies to work.

Not only is it healthy to pause and rest once in a while, but it’s also an effective way for your team to develop a fresh perspective on what they could do to improve their output or performance at work.

6. Break down tasks and simplify.

Remind employees who are handling a complex task that they are not supposed to do it all at once or else, their mind and body will eventually feel the stress.

Instead, they need to take time to divide significant functions into more manageable components. It might help if you set mini-deadlines so that your team could work at a more comfortable pace.

7. Communicate effectively with your team.

Working on group projects requires that everyone is on the same page – meaning everyone has the same understanding of the project’s end goals and the means to achieve them. Otherwise, the team might encounter delays and uncertainties.

Be ready to communicate to your team all the essential aspects of the task and clear any concern or clarification they might have. You could take advantage of leadership and training seminars in the Philippines to help you discover appropriate strategies for communicating with your team.

8. Execute the plan.

Once your team has a game plan ready, you should stick to it and evaluate how well or how poorly it worked. That way, you can identify the most effective strategies to adopt, while discarding the inefficient ones.

As a manager, you need to cultivate a healthy, positive work environment for your team. Your employees will find it easier to meet their productivity numbers if you help them manage their workload without unnecessary stress or pressure.

By getting proper training on managing chaos , you could transfer valuable know-how and skills to your employees, so they, too, can become better at handling work pressure.

Filed Under Leadership & Management

Tags: how to handle stress and pressure , how to manage stress and pressure

Related Posts:

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

• Business Development
• Business Writing
• Spoken Communication
• Customer Service
• From the Editors
• Leadership & Management
• Sales and Marketing
• In-House Seminars

Recent Posts

• The Top 5 Mistakes Sales Managers Make (and What to Avoid)
• Want MBA-level skills? Top 5 reasons why you need them. (And what to do if you don’t have time for one)
• 5 Rules of Thumb for Motivating Remote Employees Effectively
• 5 Sales Best Practices in the Time of COVID‑19
• COVID19 PANDEMIC: How Self-Care Matters When We WFH

Experience the Guthrie-Jensen Advantage today.

Inquire Now

Guthrie-Jensen Consultants, Inc. 4/F ACE Building, 101-103 Rada cor. Dela Rosa Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines

Our Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Manila Time)

Follow us on Facebook for additional updates.

Get in Touch

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: (+632) 8816-1610 (+632) 8816-0289 (+632) 8818-5853 (+632) 8892-7559 (+632) 8892-5294

Fax: (+632) 8812-8114

• Training Program Finder

Civil Service Commission Accredited Training Institution (ATI) (for government employees)

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Sitemap

© 2017 Guthrie Jensen Consultants. All Rights Reserved. Website by Intuitiv Solutions

• Associate Portal
• Temporary and High Volume Staffing
• Employee Safety
• Business Continuity
• Direct Hire
• Light Industrial and Logistics
• Business and Professional
• Call Center
• General Staffing
• Food Industry Recruitment Agency
• Work/Life Blog
• Integrity Insights
• Integrity Podcast
• Case Studies
• White Papers
• Infographics
• Meet Our Team
• Internal Careers
• Integrity News
• Supplier Diversity
• Community Partnerships
• Project Home
• Integrity Answers
• Partnerships

6 Ways to Handle Work Pressure

Work pressure starts the minute you walk in the door on your first day. Meeting a bunch of new people and learning new procedures all at once is highly stressful; and you haven’t even begun performing your job duties yet. Once you do, you know you’re being evaluated for how well you “work under pressure” as management jargon calls it.

When you feel the pressure heating up, these techniques can help you keep your cool.

1. Adjust your attitude.

It’s automatic for human beings to see pressure as a threat to our wellbeing. In the workplace, though, you’re not really in danger. So that fearful viewpoint is as counterproductive as the pressure itself.

Highly successful people flip pressure into an opportunity to conquer a challenge, growing stronger and more experienced in the process. When you’re faced with learning a new skill quickly or meeting an impossible deadline, think about how it will help qualify you for a more responsible, rewarding position.

2. Stay in the present.

Worrying about the ultimate success or failure of the process can be overwhelming — and paralyzing. Instead, block all future possibilities out of your mind.

When star athletes are asked if they’re thinking about winning the championship, they always say no, they are focused only on the next game or competitor. You can use this same “one-step-at-a-time” mentality to minimize your own stressful situations.

3. Give yourself positive reinforcement.

Remind yourself that you’ve handled tough situations in the past and you know you can do it again.

If you can’t think of any similar pressures you’ve handled before, then “fake it till you make it,” as the saying goes. Amazingly, acting as if you are calm, competent and in control will become the reality — not just for outside observers but for yourself as well.

4. Visualize the worst case scenario.

Sometimes it’s the fear of the unknown that really stresses you out. So what’s the worst that could happen if you fail? Make a plan for dealing with it, and you’ll be better able to manage your anxiety and stay on track.

Step back and take a good look at this terrible thing that might happen. Is it really the end of the world? Keeping the situation in perspective will also help reduce your stress.

5. Take a deep breath.

When people are in panic mode, they tend to start rushing and stop thinking clearly. This leads to mistakes and makes the situation even worse.

Take a minute to empty your mind and just breathe. This breaks the vicious cycle of anxious, useless thoughts (“What am I doing?” “What should I do?” “What is the boss thinking?”), and allows your brain to problem-solve objectively, flexibly and creatively.

6. Ask for help.

On the job, you’re surrounded by people who’ve felt the exact same stresses you’re feeling now. Whether it’s your team peers, supervisor or coach, they can share some great tips on handling the learning curves and relieving anxiety.

Remember, you all have the same goal: to make the team a success so that you can advance your career goals. Helping you will bring rewards for them, too.

While you’re here, don’t forget to check our  job listings  for your next great step toward career success. Or find an  Integrity Opportunity Center near you and visit us in person.

Welcome to the right place to find your next big job opportunity.

Let’s work together.

Related Posts

• Integrity Staffing
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Cookie Statement | Accessibility

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Under Pressure – Problem Solving

Turning point moments

When you watch a sports match, there are moments that can change the game one way or another. A split-second decision that can make the difference between a yellow or red card and change the outcome. This season’s Six Nations tournament saw such decisions impact not one but two England games. In both cases, a player made a decision that reduced the team to 14 men. Likewise, every game of football has moments that would have led to victory, if the player only had been another inch further or a second quicker. Sport has countless examples of this and so does life. The Gwyneth Paltrow film, ‘Sliding Doors’, is all about the impact split-second decisions have on a person’s life. Leadership is the same. Moments where the decision went one way and it either was a success or failure.

This month, we have been looking at thinking correctly and clearly under pressure. The tendency in these pressurised moments, when our decisions change the trajectory of the entire situation, is to feel that we have no time to think. But the truth is, even in those challenging moments, we do have a few moments to gather our thinking. The key is to incorporate all the problem-solving approaches into your thinking to ensure you get as full a picture as possible. As a leader, our purpose is to:

Do the best that you can

With all that you have

In the moment that you are in.

So, when we get as full a picture as possible, we can increase our chances of achieving the best outcome because we have more of the ‘all that you have’.

Problem solving approaches

We often have a tendency to approach problems with our own style. There are six main approaches.

· Analytical

The trick is to use all of them to gain a full picture, which we can do with the use of these key questions…

This month, I interviewed Vicki Gascoyne-Cecil in our Leadership Lounge podcast about ‘Thinking Correctly Under Pressure’. She is an executive headteacher and faced the deeply disturbing challenge of managing a drive-by shooting threat. (Do take a listen to the episode, here !) Fortunately, the threat turned out to be a hoax, but at the time she had to assume it was genuine and, so, had to think clearly under pressure. Her story highlights how she tuned into these questions.

· Logical – her big picture and driver was to cherish the children and staff.

· Analytical – She used problem solving; she needed someone to help with the liaison and knew that her head of school was just the right person to fill this role.

· Positive – she collaborated with the county council, her chair of governors and her head of school.

· Creative – she thought of different ways to keep people safe.

· Absolute – she reviewed those ideas for pros and cons.

· Rational – she narrowed all the possibilities down to the safest option.

Even in the trickiest, most pressured moment, you can spend just a few minutes and use this grid:

If time is really tight then just ask these four:

Press Pause

Leadership is not sport. We have the ability to press pause, even if for a tiny moment to weigh up and consider the decision in those pressurised moments. We can’t always make a 100% correct decision, but taking that pause moment, however short, allows us to reduce the risk of a wrong sliding door or yellow card moment.

Can we help you?

How are you with dealing with pressure and a crisis? Coaching can help you grow in confidence in dealing with these tricky issues. Everyday Leader’s team of coaches can help you understand what is going on in your head and how you can manage your emotions and other people in those moments. Give us a call on 01449 710438 if you would like us to help you explore this and empower you and your team.

Everyday Leader is here to empower, inspire and equip you to do that. If we can help you find a way forward, through coaching, training or consultancy, do let us know. Contact us now: [email protected]

Featured Posts

Inspire your thinking

Inspire your reflection

Inspire your vision

Innovation – Consider different solutions

Innovation - Get to the root of the problem

Innovation - Four Candles

Innovation - What is Good Practice?

Innovation - End Goal in Mind

The way you make me feel

Recent Posts

5P's of Processing Pressure - PRACTISE

5P's of Processing Pressure - PRESENT (I intend to)

5P's of Processing Pressure - PARTNER

5P's of Processing Pressure - Ponder

5P's of Processing Pressure - PAUSE

Rebuild - Have a STROP

Reduce - Box in the chimp

Reframe - Pre-mortem

Review - De-conspiracise

Know your fit - A fitting time

Search By Tags