“The leader’s attitude is like a thermostat for the place they work.
If the leader is calm, confident, and focused, the team will reflect that.”
– John C. Maxwell
I was recently interviewed on a podcast, and the host asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks: “What’s one habit you swear by to stay focused when chaos hits?”
I didn’t have to think long. Because over the years, through pressure-filled moments, big decisions, and the weight of being a leader, I’ve learned the answer the hard way.
Remain calm. Stay focused. And breathe before you react.
That’s the habit. It sounds simple. But in the heat of adversity, when stress levels spike, people are watching, and decisions matter, this one habit becomes the anchor that separates effective leaders from reactive ones.
Think about an airplane pilot mid-flight & turbulence suddenly hits. The plane bounces around and the cabin shakes.
Now imagine the pilot coming on the PA system yelling, “Oh man! We’ve hit some major trouble! I’m not sure what’s going on up here, folks!”
That would be horrifying, right? Everybody would probably pass out! Of course that’s not what happens.
The best pilots stay calm.
Their voice is steady.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve hit some turbulence. Please fasten your seatbelts. We’re adjusting course and everything’s under control.”
That’s leadership in adversity.
The same principle applies in our business and life. When things get bumpy – and trust me they will – your team doesn’t need more panic. They don’t need a leader who’s frantic, distracted, or short-tempered.
They need your peace to bring their chaos into order.
When stress spikes and chaos hits, we’re not thinking clearly. Our emotions override logic, and we end up saying things we don’t mean or making decisions we later regret. We speak too fast. We snap. We choose shortcuts instead of wise steps. And most of the time, it’s not because we’re bad leaders – it’s because we’re reacting instead of responding. That’s why mastering your calm isn’t just a feel-good principle; it’s a critical leadership skill. It keeps you from making dumb choices in the heat of the moment.
People already have enough stress at home. They’re battling things like financial strain, relationship tension, parenting struggles, spiritual emptiness, and the pressure of trying to hold it all together behind closed doors. The last thing they need is to walk into work and find more chaos, more confusion, and more emotional instability.
Our organizations should be places of peace, purpose, and professional challenge. Environments where people feel safe, supported, and clear on what’s expected. That doesn’t mean we lower the bar. But it does mean we lead with steadiness. Because when the world feels shaky, steady leaders stand out.
I’ve had MANY seasons where things felt like they were falling apart. Clients upset, team members quitting, equipment breaking down, finances tight, and constant pressure just to survive. And in the middle of it all, I still had to show up and lead – not just at work either, but at home too. My family was still counting on me to bring strength, direction, and fatherly presence.
And the more I’ve led, the more I’ve realized: You cannot lead others well if you don’t lead yourself first.
That starts with mastering your emotions, especially when everything is shaking.
So, if you’re in a storm right now… And I know many of you are… Or trying to build a team that can grow and thrive during one, Here’s your challenge:
Don’t just fix the chaos, be the calm inside of it.
That’s the habit.
It won’t happen overnight.
But every time you practice it – every time you pause, breathe, pray, think, and then speak – you’re becoming the kind of leader people can trust when life gets turbulent.
And that kind of leader? They don’t just survive the storm. They grow, guide, and serve others through it.