When clients feel overwhelmed and are tempted to cancel sessions, Matt Spielman insists this is when coaching is most critical. The act of "slowing down to speed up" for a brief, focused conversation helps leaders get grounded and re-prioritize, making them more effective under pressure.

Under pressure, organizations tend to shut down external feedback loops for self-protection. This creates a "self-referencing" system that can't adapt. Effective leadership maintains permeable boundaries, allowing feedback to flow in and out for recalibration, which enables smarter, systems-aware decisions.

A strategic reason for a leader to resign is to de-escalate public tension. After a crisis, the leader can become a symbol of that difficult period. By stepping down, they absorb the negative sentiment, lower the political temperature, and allow their organization to move forward.

In a crisis, the instinct is to shout louder and match escalating chaos. True leadership involves 'energetic jujitsu': deliberately slowing down and bringing calmness to the situation. This rare skill is more powerful than simply increasing intensity.

In leadership, especially during conflict, you have a choice. You can be a 'thermometer,' merely reacting to the emotional temperature of the room, or a 'thermostat,' actively setting and controlling it. Great leaders intentionally manage the environment, calming panic or creating urgency as needed, rather than mirroring the ambient mood.

Musician Jacob Collier evaluates groups on a 'supple vs. brittle' axis. Supple groups adapt to unexpected events, while brittle ones resist and snap under pressure. Leaders must create psychological safety that enables teams to embrace spontaneity rather than tightening up.

The brain's emotional center is five times stronger than its rational part. When triggered by stress, it shuts down executive function. A deliberate 90-second pause is a powerful antidote that allows the physiological wave of emotion to pass, enabling clearer, more considered decision-making.

When facing an existential business threat, the most effective response is to suppress emotional panic and adopt a calm, methodical mindset, like a pilot running through an emergency checklist. This allows for clear, logical decision-making when stakes are highest and prevents paralysis from fear.

Success at the leadership level requires a developed tolerance for pressure and uncertainty—a skill the CEO calls a 'stomach' for it. This resilience is a distinct capability, and its absence can cause even the most intelligent and talented individuals to fail under pressure, making it a crucial trait for high-stakes roles.