Deliberate Calm: How to Learn and Lead in a Volatile World

by Jacqueline Brassey

When we feel the need to intervene and take control of the situation, we find it helpful to ask ourselves three questions to determine the best way to respond: 1. Does this absolutely need to be said or done? This takes our attention away from what we want to do and reframes it around what the situation requires. 2. Does it need to be said or done by me? Take a moment to look at the situation strategically. This, too, takes us out of our own emotional response. Some things land differently depending on who says or does them, leading to an entirely different end result. Perhaps this action is better taken by someone else. 3. Does it need to be said or done right now? Often, there is no downside and perhaps a big upside to delaying our reaction until we and the people around us are all operating from a place of calm. If it can wait, let it sit for a bit and create time and space for a little more perspective.