Resilient leadership in high-stakes moments 

Recent events at the White House, particularly the intense exchange between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. officials, have provided a profound case study in leadership under pressure. This incident underscores the critical importance of resilience, active listening, and the appropriateness of settings in high-stakes dialogues.

Resilience: Navigating Leadership Under Pressure

President Zelenskyy has become emblematic of resilience, guiding Ukraine through tumultuous times with unwavering determination. Resilient leadership is characterized by adaptability, emotional regulation, and the capacity to maintain focus amidst challenges. In high-stress situations, such as diplomatic negotiations, resilience enables leaders to uphold their vision while effectively managing external pressures.

The Power of Listening: Levels of Engagement

In my book, Confidence, Clarity, and Ease: A Guide for Emerging Leaders to Thrive, I explore the various levels of listening, emphasizing their pivotal role in effective leadership. Understanding these levels can significantly enhance our ability to engage in meaningful dialogues, especially in high-pressure situations.

 1. Listening for Self
At this stage, our focus is primarily on our own thoughts and agendas.  We may appear to be listening, but our minds are occupied with internal dialogues, limiting our ability to fully comprehend the speaker's message.

 2. Listening for Information 
Here, we direct our attention to the speaker, absorbing their words without the interference of our internal chatter. This level allows for a deeper understanding of the content being shared. However, our listening is to fix the problem, the challenge or issue. 

3. Listening for Meaning
This advanced level of listening involves being attuned not only to the speaker's words but also to their emotions, body language, and the surrounding environment. It encompasses an awareness of the broader context, leading to a more profound connection and understanding. In this level of listening, we are able to hear the heart of the issue. 

Appropriate Settings: Ensuring Effective Dialogue

The environment in which high-stakes conversations occur significantly impacts their outcomes. Diplomatic negotiations often benefit from private, controlled settings that encourage candid discussions without external distractions. Such environments promote open communication and reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings.

Conversely, public or high-profile venues may introduce additional stressors, potentially hindering effective dialogue. Leaders must thoughtfully consider the context and potential implications when selecting the setting for critical discussions.

Etiquette in High-Stakes Conversations

Maintaining professionalism and decorum during intense exchanges is paramount. Diplomatic etiquette encompasses:

• Demonstrating Respect: Valuing diverse perspectives and acknowledging the positions of all parties involved.
• Managing Emotions: Regulating emotional responses to ensure constructive dialogue and prevent escalation.
• Clarity in Communication:  Articulating points transparently to minimize misunderstandings and foster mutual understanding.

 Reflection: Learning from High-Stakes Interactions

Reflecting on such leadership moments encourages introspection about our own leadership styles. Whether guiding a team, managing a business, or navigating personal challenges, embracing resilience, active listening, and clarity can distinguish exceptional leaders from the rest.

 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 

• How do I respond to challenges and setbacks?
• When faced with adversity, do I react emotionally or strategically?
• How do I maintain focus and motivation when things don’t go as planned?

Inspiring You to Thrive, 

Sheeba Varghese

DiSC Catalyst Leadership Applications

You have taken the DiSC Assessment. Great!

Now what?

Well, as I have been speaking about resilience above and how to engage in tense situations, you can use the DiSC tool to support you. 

How??

When you have a chance, log into https://catalyst.everythingdisc.com/login and explore the following resources:

1. Build Better Relationships Section: Within the Catalyst platform, navigate to the "Workplace" module and select "Build Better Relationships." This section offers detailed guidance on connecting with various DiSC styles, including strategies for when interactions become tense. It provides insights into:

-Connecting: Techniques to establish rapport with different styles.

-Solving Problems: Approaches to collaborative problem-solving.

- When Things Get Tense: Specific strategies to manage and de-escalate stress in relationships.

This feature is particularly valuable for understanding how to adapt your approach during stressful interactions. 

2. Your Colleagues Feature: This tool allows you to access profiles of your colleagues to understand their DiSC styles, stress triggers, and preferences. By reviewing this information, you can tailor your communication and behavior to better manage tense situations with specific individuals. 

3. DiSC Styles and Stress: Understanding how different DiSC styles respond to stress can enhance your ability to navigate tense situations. For instance, some styles may find certain scenarios stressful that others might not. Recognizing these differences enables you to approach each situation with empathy and appropriate strategies. 

Don't stop by just taking an assessment, utilize the tool to support your development and growth. 

Now, if you have never had a chance to take this assessment, reach out and we can help you with that, as well. 

If you are in HR or an organization that would like to have someone certified to facilitate DiSC, please send me an email and we can review the steps that would support that goal.  

Exciting News!

I’m honored to be featured in Marquis Who’s Who, a recognition given to individuals who have made noteworthy contributions in their field. In the article, you’ll find insights into my journey, my work with Defining Moments 365, and even a glimpse into what I am passionate about for the years ahead.

Read the full feature here!

Thank you for being part of this journey with me—I’m excited for what’s ahead! 

Melinda French Gates is a leader in philanthropy and an advocate for women and girls. Through the Gates Foundation and Pivotal Ventures, she focuses on gender equality, economic empowerment, and leadership opportunities for women.

She firmly believes that women's success is the cornerstone of thriving communities. Leading with purpose, she emphasizes that meaningful change arises from intentional actions. Her conviction is that increasing the number of women in leadership positions leads to stronger, more diverse decision-making.  You can read more about her story and impact here.

Sheeba Varghese is a strategic partner for your talent development solutions and the author of Confidence, Clarity & Ease: A Guide For Emerging Leaders To Thrive. Her passion is to inspire and equip men and women to lead with excellence and authenticity within the spheres of influence that they are called to impact in life. The spheres may be in a home, on a team, in a classroom, among partners in a firm, or within management, to name a few.

Sheeba works with: 

Senior Leaders and professionals who want to develop stronger leadership skills, have impact, and move forward in their careers

Teams who want to work cohesively within their organizations

Coaches who want to renew or apply for certification with ICF

If you want to improve your leadership skills, transition from managing to leading, ensure your team is amazingly successful, increase your self-awareness, and progress your career, or aspire to be a masterful coach for your clients, then Sheeba would love to support you. She works with clients globally, both face-to-face, by phone, or by Zoom.

In her time apart from clients, Sheeba enjoys time with her husband, Santosh, and their 2 sons, Sam and Steven. She loves great movies, a good book, decorating, and dining at the wonderful restaurants in the Bay Area.