In reality, you only have control over a limited number of things – ultimately only over yourself.
Focusing on the “Circle of Concern,” that is, on areas you cannot influence, carries the risk of wasting energy and resources unproductively. Although these factors can certainly impact your situation and should not be ignored, it is often wiser to set them aside after identifying and assessing them. This simple model helps you clearly define the scope of each problem or challenge. In this way, complex situations become easier to manage, which in turn helps reduce your stress.
The power of perspective
We humans often tend to focus on negative aspects and expect the worst possible outcome. This bias is evolutionary and often causes us to overreact to perceived threats. It’s important that you recognize this natural behavioral pattern in yourself and become aware of it.
You can mitigate this instinctive tendency by placing events in a broader context. If you make this a habit, it becomes easier to manage your reactions in stressful or challenging situations. Especially since most everyday situations are not life-threatening.
Three steps to leading under stress
As a leader, you have three strategies at your disposal that can give you perspective in stressful situations or crises almost immediately:
- Take responsibility for managing the situation.
Even if this doesn’t necessarily increase your control over the situation, it provides a greater sense of clarity and security. In addition, you send a strong signal to your team by saying: “I take responsibility and will help us find a way forward.” - Ask yourself a central question: “How important will this event be in a day, a month, a year?”
Choose the timeframe most relevant to you. This question helps you immediately put the real significance of any situation into perspective. What may seem like the end of the world today may already turn out to be just a temporary challenge by next week. - Recognize that these challenges shape you into a stronger leader – and welcome them.
Realizing that you can act effectively as a leader in stressful situations strengthens your self-confidence. It greatly helps to balance out personal fears and uncertainties when you see your growing resilience for what it is: a rare quality that people admire and respect.
Where is your focus?
Like the weather, we cannot control everything. But we can control what we focus on, how we react, and how we grow from each challenge. Focus on your “Circle of Influence,” and you will notice how stress decreases and your resilience increases.
If you want to delve deeper into topics related to the leadership virtue of “resilience,” you will find further insights and strategies in my book “The Hero’s Journey of a Leader.”