Sit on your hands in a crisis?

That makes no sense... 

As a former fighter pilot, I’ve faced life-or-death situations. The key to survival is counter-intuitive: “Sit on your hands.” This is a critical lesson that applies both in the cockpit and the boardroom when a crisis hits.

As a senior leader you have felt that pressure to act too: You’re in the hot seat during a high-stakes meeting. The atmosphere is intense, decisions need to be made, and time is ticking. Your heart rate soars above the crucial 145 beats per minute where we stop thinking correctly — the brilliant Malcolm Gladwell highlights this in his book, Blink.

Our decision-making faculties suffer when our heart races above 145 bpm.

We need to  slow down, just a little.

So, what’s the solution? Pause. Breathe. “Sit on your hands.” Give yourself that crucial moment to regain clarity. It sounds wrong, but it works. As a Tornado and Hawk pilot, I’ve learned that split-second decisions can make or break a mission. The same holds true in the corporate world.

How does this apply to you? When faced with a critical choice, resist the urge to react impulsively. Instead, channel your inner fast jet pilot. Visualize your options, review the situation, and then decide. It could be the difference between success and disaster.

🔥 My question for you: How do you handle high-pressure moments in your leadership role? I would love it if you share your insights.

And if you’re ready to elevate your leadership and decision making, check out our      Leadership and Executive Coaching at Aces Pegasus.

Sit on your hands.pdf

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