{"id":16403,"date":"2020-04-20T16:14:54","date_gmt":"2020-04-20T20:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opsweb.wpengine.com\/?p=16403"},"modified":"2020-10-21T15:53:44","modified_gmt":"2020-10-21T19:53:44","slug":"are-you-an-agitated-leader-here-are-four-tips-to-help-you-stay-calm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/blog\/are-you-an-agitated-leader-here-are-four-tips-to-help-you-stay-calm\/","title":{"rendered":"Are you an agitated leader? Here are four tips to help you stay \u201cCALM.\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When agitated leaders join a meeting, you can feel it\ninstantly, even in a video conference. These leaders may offer a short,\nobligatory greeting, and answer \u201cBusy!\u201d when others ask how they are. Then they\nget right down to business because the agenda is ambitious and time is short. Subtly,\nif not noticeably, the team\u2019s agitation rises. The agitated leader often doesn\u2019t\nrecognize the effect they\u2019re having on others. But by practicing self-awareness,\nleaders can learn how others perceive their actions and take appropriate steps\nto manage and mitigate the spread of this anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Becoming self-aware is one of the foundational competencies of the Partnership\u2019s Public Service Leadership Model<\/a>, and it is also a key aspect of emotional intelligence. One way to become self-aware is to practice CALM. Leaders can practice being calm just as they practice other skills and mindsets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing on Bren\u00e9 Brown\u2019s 2010 book, The Gifts of Imperfection<\/em>, and the Partnership\u2019s leadership model, here are four tips to help you practice and improve being CALM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

C<\/strong>ommit yourself to practicing calm<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Think about the situations, people or circumstances that make you anxious and those that invoke calm. Reflect on your experiences with anxious leaders, colleagues, family or friends. Do you tend to respond with more anxiety and agitation? Reflect on ways to create a calm reaction, such as counting to 10 or taking three deep breaths before responding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A<\/strong>sk yourself: Do I have enough data to respond? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

People often feel anxious because they have limited\ninformation, so determine whether you have all the knowledge you need to\nrespond appropriately to a situation. Ask for more information and verbally\nacknowledge if you need more time to think before you can respond calmly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

L<\/strong>et go of the need to control <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

First, acknowledge that wanting to control a situation and \u201cbe\nright\u201d are valid feelings. Then let go of those feelings, knowing that focusing\non control and self-righteousness will only increase the agitation of the\nmoment. This is hard and will take practice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

M<\/strong>indful recognition that calm is just as contagious as panic <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You can better engage others and build relationships by maintaining calm rather than panic. As Brown writes, mindfully ask yourself, \u201c \u2018Will freaking out help?\u2019 The answer is always no.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By following these four practices, leaders can become the calming presence their employees need. So remember to keep CALM and carry on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the following tips for more tips on strong leadership: <\/p>\n\n\n\n