Ledarskap innebär att fatta beslut. Ofta med ofullständig information. Ibland under tidspress. Och i perioder – under många slags påfrestningar samtidigt.
That is when it is hardest. And that is when it demands the most of us.
What the research says
Research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience consistently shows that stress affects our decision-making in several ways. We tend to seek confirmation of what we already believe — so-called confirmation bias. We narrow the number of options we evaluate. We weigh short-term consequences more heavily than long-term ones.
That is not a sign of weakness. It is the brain’s way of managing overload. But when we are aware of it — we can counter it.
What this means in practice for leaders
When you feel most certain about a decision under high pressure — that is the moment to pause and ask: is this genuine conviction, or is it the need to resolve the problem quickly that is driving it?
A simple habit that tends to help: decide in advance how you make decisions when you are under pressure. What questions do you always ask? Who do you consult? What tells you that you need to slow down?
Self-awareness is a leadership tool
I arbete med ledare – i coaching och i recruitment – är förmågan att känna igen sina egna reaktioner under press en av de tydligaste markörerna för ledarskapsmognad.
It is not about being unaffected. It is about having sufficient self-knowledge to adjust — when it is needed, and before things go too far.
If you have thoughts, questions, or simply want to talk something through — feel free to get in touch. I am happy to have an initial conversation with no agenda.
Magdalena Hagström Ståhl
By M Consulting AB
Right person. Right place. Everything changes.