When America raced to send the first men into space, they trained their astronauts in one critical skill above all others: the art of not panicking. 

This isn’t just a fascinating piece of history – it’s a powerful lesson for every leader. 

In today’s high-stakes world, where every decision impacts your team and organization, mastering calm under pressure isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

The Survival Mode Flip

When panic strikes, our brains flip into survival mode. Suddenly, we override systems, ignore procedures, and react impulsively rather than responding with strategy. In leadership, these knee-jerk reactions can lead to costly mistakes and lost opportunities. 

Imagine a tiny spacecraft hurtling 150 miles above Earth with no room for error. One moment of panic could be catastrophic. 

NASA’s Solution to Astronaut Panic

NASA’s solution was simple: train relentlessly. Astronauts drilled every detail of their mission – from the breakfast routine on launch day to the countdown itself – until uncertainty was replaced with familiarity and fear with calculated action.

Now, ask yourself: When was the last time your heart raced and you felt that surge of panic in a high-pressure moment? Maybe it was during a critical meeting or an unexpected crisis. 

Reflect on that moment and consider how the panic affected your leadership. Recognizing these instances is the first step to transforming your response.

Just as NASA’s astronauts built their muscle of calm through repeated training, you too can cultivate this essential skill. 

It begins with exposure – practicing challenging scenarios in a controlled setting. This isn’t about pretending panic doesn’t exist; it’s about acknowledging it, understanding it, and taking deliberate steps to neutralize its impact.

It’s not about becoming numb or emotionless, either. It’s about achieving a state of calm equanimity where irrational emotions don’t hijack your decision-making. 

Imagine approaching a crisis with the mindset, “I’m not going to let this derail me. I can focus on what I can change.” Shifting from panic to proactive problem-solving isn’t just refreshing – it’s transformational.

Create Your Training Exposures

I challenge you to incorporate what I call “training exposures” into your leadership practice. I use these “training exposures” with coaching clients, and it creates big shifts. 

Before a big presentation or a tough conversation, rehearse your responses. Walk yourself through every possible scenario, mentally preparing your key messages. With enough practice, your reactions become deliberate, not instinctively chaotic.

Logic Always Wins Over Panic

One of the most empowering truths is that logic always wins over panic. When a crisis hits, emotions surge and cloud your judgment. 

But ask yourself: Does reacting impulsively really give you more options? Does yelling or panicking solve the problem at hand? More often than not, it only creates more chaos.

For instance, imagine experiencing a setback – a missed opportunity, a business loss, or a miscommunication. The natural impulse might be to spiral into negative self-talk. 

Instead, pause and ask, “What can I control here? What’s one actionable step I can take right now?” Breaking the problem into manageable pieces shifts your focus from fear to solutions.

Create Your Mantra

I often rely on a simple mantra: “I am not going to die from this.” It might sound over the top, but repeating it helps reset your mindset. 

It’s not about dismissing your feelings; it’s a way to remind yourself that the stakes, while important, are rarely life-or-death. That small phrase reclaims control and refocuses your energy on what matters.

High-pressure moments can either be paralyzing or transformative. When you’re able to harness your calm, you not only lead more effectively – you inspire confidence in your team. 

They see that even when the pressure is on, you can navigate challenges with clarity and purpose.

This week: 

Commit to one actionable step that will help you train your mind to stay calm under pressure. Maybe it’s a daily mental rehearsal before big meetings or a pause to reframe your thoughts when stress hits. Your team, your organization and, most importantly, you deserve that level of control.

Remember, leadership is about inspiring confidence in the face of uncertainty. When you lead with a calm, clear mind, you empower those around you to do the same. 

Choose Calm

Next time you feel that familiar surge of panic, stand tall, breathe deeply, and choose to respond with clarity rather than chaos. After all, a calm mind is your greatest leadership asset.

Want more topics like this? Tune into the Leader Fuel Podcast with Dr. Linda Travelute wherever you listen to your podcasts. It’s the fuel you need as a leader to keep going and growing.