https://youtu.be/3hp7NfhmGfA
Anyone who has been in leadership any length of time knows the feeling of pressure. Pressure to perform. Pressure to hit numbers. Pressure to make payroll. Marketplace pressures. Employee and customer demands. Time constraints. However, what many leaders do not know is how to actually succeed during seasons of intense stress and pressure.
In the September issue of Inc. Magazine, columnist John Brandon identified the following three ways stress helps leaders and one way it does not:
- Stress Makes You More Aware – You are on high alert and as a result absorb more information.
- Stress Shows You Care – It reveals how much you care about your team.
- Stress Helps You Enjoy Good Times More – You appreciate the peaceful times.
- Stress Causes Irrational Thoughts – This is the stress you create in your mind.
As I read his thoughts I pondered back to two of the most stressful and pressure-packed environments I witnessed in the last few months – Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder. This was followed a few weeks later by a Game 7 between the Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA championship.
I took note of what the announcers and participants were saying prior to each game. With the stakes at all-time highs for each encounter, the lessons are applicable to any leader regardless of your environment.
The following are an additional 26 Important Lessons On Succeeding While Under Intense Stress And Pressure:
Golden State – Oklahoma City, May 30th. Golden State would win 96-88.
- Stress And Pressure Can Be A Sign Of Tremendous Opportunity – “It’s a great opportunity to play at the highest level with one game to go to get to the finals.” – Kevin Durant. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said prior to Game 7 with the Cavaliers, “If you don’t feel pressure in a Game 7 then you’re probably not human…But how lucky are we to feel that pressure.”
- Do Not Repeat The Same Mistakes – “You can’t repeat your mistakes.” – Shaquille O’Neal
- Do Not Be Passive Or Frenetic – “If you miss a lot of shots being aggressive, the pressure just mounts…You can’t come out and be over-aggressive. But you can’t come out and be under-aggressive.” – Charles Barkley
- You Must Trust Your Teammates – “You have to have a level of trust (with your teammates).” – Chris Webber. Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan added, “Together is what’s going to get it done.”
- Leaders Must Lead By Example – “Give it to me. Let me lead the way. I’ll do what I do.” – O’Neil on his Game 7 experience. Webber added, “Stars have to set the tone on the road. Most guys in the NBA aren’t used to getting booed.”
- Everybody Handles Stress And Pressure Differently – “Everybody handles moments differently.” – Webber
- Maintain A Positive Attitude – “On the road you can’t get down.” – Webber
- Remain Calm – “You just calm down and play basketball.” – Barkley. O’Neal added, “The key to Golden State is not be too amped. Calm down.”
- Simple Things Become Hard When Facing Stress And Pressure – “The simplest things are the hardest things for the greatest players…Most guys have a hidden Superman syndrome.” – Kenny Smith
- Stress And Pressure Reminds You The Stakes Are High – “This is the toughest game of the year.” – Draymond Green
- You Are Not Alone. Everyone Is Facing Stress And Pressure – “There’s pressure on both of these teams.” – Barkley
- Stay Poised – “Stay poised. Be who we are.” – Green
- You Can’t Relax. You Must Finish Well. – “Can you execute in the last 3 minutes of a quarter?” – Smith
- Great Depth Helps You Deal With Great Stress And Pressure – “For Golden State, who’s going to show up on their bench?” – Barkley
- Stay In The Moment And Focus On What You Can Be Do Right Now – “If you’re the home team you must stay in the moment. You have to embrace the opportunity that is in front of you” – Webber
- Play To Your Strengths – “Be yourself. Play the style that got you here.” – Webber
Cleveland – Golden State, June 19th. Cleveland would win its first NBA championship 93-89.
- Stress And Pressure Require The Best Of You – “I need to play my best game of the year, of my career, because of what the stakes are.” – Steph Curry
- Be Willing To Exhaust All Your Resources – “It’s the last game of the season so you don’t preserve the energy.” – LeBron James
- Mismanaging Pressure Can Ruin All Your Previous Hard Work – “It doesn’t matter how good you’ve been all year long. You can have one bad day, and that’s your season.” – Paul Pierce
- You Must Lack Fear – “Your great players have to be at their best. Greatness fears no consequence.” – Doug Collins
- Stress And Pressure Allow You To Do Something Memorable – “They (Game 7s) result signature, notable, memorable performances.” – Jalen Rose
- The Best Leaders Are The Ones Who Deal Best With Stress And Pressure – “Teams with the MVP have won 18 straight Game 7s.” – Sage Steele
- Big Time Players Make Big Time Plays In Big Time Games – “DNA Game. Have your fingerprints all over everything. He (Curry) has to be the best player on the court.” – Collins. Pierce added, “If they don’t stop LeBron James they are not going to win this game…This game is not about the bench. This game is about the stars.”
- Preparation Is The Greatest Cure To Stress And Pressure – “I don’t feel pressure. If you’re prepared and organized and ready for the moment…then you’re fine.” – Tyronn Lue
- Limit Mistakes And Manage Your Resources Well – In the last two games LeBron James has handled the ball 188 times and he has only three turnovers.” – Collins
- Put Your Teammates In Positions To Succeed – “Usually role players play better at home.” – Rose
What is one thing from this list you have learned about dealing with stress and pressure?
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