The Unique Skill that only Great Leaders master
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
PMA
3/23/20261 min read
Have you ever been in a situation (a meeting, a difficult conversation, an emergency) where a person loses complete control and reacts badly?
Screaming, hard words, physical tension…?
Have you ever been that person?*
*This article is not to judge anyone. If your answer is “Yes”, maybe you’re on the first step to do it better next time, continue reading.
So, What is that skill?.. I will reveal it soon.
Before that, think for a moment:
How could a team respond if they see their leader reacting impulsively (losing their composure) in a moment of emergency or high pressure?
Chaos, right? Everyone starts to react, there is no direction, it is not a safe environment and morale drops.
Now let’s look at the opposite,
What happens when a difficult situation arises and you know your leader will give clear direction, keep calm, and give or get the support the team needs to thrive?
The clarity and serenity spread. Things flow.
This is what I believe great leaders have learned to manage:
→ Emotional regulation, a human Superpower!
This is not about removing feelings;
It is about separating feelings from facts, managing your internal state and staying aligned with your values.
So, What is the first step to gaining this skill?
Awareness — 70% of the work: noticing physical cues, noticing a feeling, and naming it (I’m feeling frustrated, not angry).
→ You can’t regulate what you don’t notice.
If you want to learn to name emotions more accurately, go and search on the web for an image: “The Wheel of Emotions”, print one and start practicing every day.
Bonus: What else could be done after awareness?
2. Create a Pause: take a short walk or say: “let me think about that”.
My final questions are:
How could working on this skill improve your life and relationships?
Under pressure, what type of leader do you want to be?
Great leaders aren’t born — they’re built through moments like these. From 0 (not being aware) to 10 (mastering it), where are you?
What else could you do, to master Emotional regulation?
Paola,
Career and Leadership Coach - Lead with passion, enthusiasm, and humanity.