Composed: The Heart and Science of Leading Under Pressure

Composed: The Heart and Science of Leading Under Pressure is a roadmap for standing firmly in who we are while staying connected to those who matter most to us - especially when high-pressure moments come. It doesn’t matter whether you are a CEO, parent, manager, or student, none of us are immune to the possibility of losing it when the pressure is on. For some people, public speaking is a fear. Maybe conflict makes you uncomfortable. For others, simply being responsible for the experience or learning of others causes you anxiety. Even for seasoned leaders who face pressure every day, showing up their best can be tough. Whether pressure makes us feel incompetent and unworthy, or mean and reactive, the impact of losing our composure is significant.

Our capacity to compose ourselves when the pressure is highest, to lead strong, and to lead with care in the most difficult situations of conflict and anxiety may have the single greatest impact on our families, our teams, our organizations, and the world that surrounds us. The stakes are too high for us and for those we love to wait any longer.

Composed: The Heart and Science of Leading Under Pressure is based on our research on the developmental journey of thousands of leaders who have taken the Leading Under Pressure Inventory. This inventory is one of eight whole leader development tools in the WiLD Toolkit. To access the Leading Under Pressure Inventory or the entire suite of tools for yourself, your small group, team, organization, or coaching practice, visit www.wildtoolkit.com.

Dr. Rob McKenna is the CEO of WiLD Leaders, Inc. and creator of the WiLD Toolkit. He is also Chair of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Seattle Pacific University and Founder of the WiLD Foundation—a not-for-profit organization developing the capacity of the underserved leaders in the most critical corners of the world. He has written dozens of articles and chapters on character, calling, and whole leader development. As an author, speaker, and professor, his mission is to develop the next generation of courageous and sacrificial leaders.