Breaking the Urgency Cycle: A Leader's Guide to Intentional Action

applicable practices barbara schindler emotional endurance leadership skills mindful leadership self leadership

From Reaction to Response: A Leadership Journey - Shift from amygdala - our fight-flight-freeze response to engaging the prefrontal cortex - Empowering Leadership Teams

"Optimal performance and well-being must go together."

In my years of coaching entrepreneurial businesses, I've witnessed a transformative approach to leadership that goes beyond mere management. It's about shifting from constant reactivity to intentional response.

The core of this approach is understanding that our default mode is often driven by our amygdala - our fight-flight-freeze response. When we operate from this space, we're reactive, stressed, and prone to burnout. But when we pause and engage our prefrontal cortex, we unlock a more strategic, compassionate way of leading.

One powerful technique I've found is the "What I really want to say is" exercise. By cutting through the noise and identifying our core message, we communicate with clarity and kindness. This doesn't just improve communication; it builds psychological safety within teams.

Psychological safety means creating an environment where team members feel empowered to share ideas, admit mistakes, and collaborate without fear. This isn't just feel-good rhetoric - it's a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape.

Self-care is another critical element. By modeling healthy boundaries and giving ourselves permission to pause, we break the destructive urgency culture that leads to exhaustion.

Leadership isn't about constant motion, but about intentional, thoughtful action.

Author: Barbara Schindler