Here's how you can handle your emotions as a consultant in high-pressure situations.

In some ways, it is similar to how Doctors have to get out of such situations. Become emotionally detached, and bring in a clinical level of precision to the problem-solving approach. Losing cool serves no purpose, and in fact worsens an already precarious situation. In general, quick wins in such situations often serve as great catalysts for overall motivation/mood upliftment so it is important not to try and solve for everything in the first instance.

Self awareness in a pressure filled environment (aka consulting ) is very important - you can recognize emotional triggers before they result in too much damage. As a leader, awareness of your teams mental health is incredibly important to manage productivity and long term morale

Ever wonder why some consultants thrive under pressure? The secret is recognizing your emotional triggers. Luckily it's a skill I learned as a child and perfected as an adult. One technique I use is box-breathing, which I learned as a U.S. Navy Diver: inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for four, hold for four, and repeat. This calms the body and mind. If needed, I take a quick break to practice in private. Add meditation and visualization to mental distance. Detecting triggers early is vital. It keeps emotions in check so you can focus on active listening. This proactive approach helps you handle your feelings better so as to maintain strong rapport. When you're mind is free to really listen, referrals will follow!

Mastering the physical and the mental is an art form. Your brain is a physical element, your emotions are a mental element. Breathing gets oxygen to the brain, the physical element, and allows your mind to relax so you can control your emotions. Again, staying in present time, and recognizing a moment of stress allows you to adjust quickly and be conscious of it. Your triggers are from the past so stay in present time. If you’re in a meeting and you’re getting lots of pressure from someone, you have to breathe, let the brain get what it needs so that your mind can get what it requires, elasticity.

Indulge yourself in the moment. I was given a glib piece of advice when I was a junior consultant, but it's turned out to be one of the best things i've ever heard and one of the best ever implemented. 'You have 2 ears and 1 mouth.....use them in that proportion'. Serves me well to this day.

Presence is a both a discipline and an art. It requires a mind-set that is completely satisfied and satiated in the moment. I truly believe that the inability to use the self-discipline to be present is the foundation for greed, hate, ignorance and violence. If we are present and satisfied in that discipline, we are not looking outward for a sense of belonging and acceptance. Instead, we look inward and find accountability and a sense of gratitude. That has been my journey so far, and I won’t look backwards!

One thing I have found very helpful is cultivating strong relationships with colleagues and clients is essential for navigating high-pressure situations. Open communication and trust are fundamental to effective teamwork and problem-solving. When facing challenges, a supportive network can provide valuable insights, emotional support, and alternative perspectives.

At some point a Client will provide negative feedback and will escalate an issue (real or perceived). It's hard not to take this personally and take it home. The best thing is to remain open to the feedback, but also accept it is a part of the job. Ask yourself what you can take away from the experience, both from the specific feedback, and from the interaction with the client.

From observing the incredible resilience of Ukrainians during the ongoing war, I've learned several key strategies for building resilience: - Stay Adaptable: Ukrainians have shown that being flexible and willing to adapt to new circumstances is crucial. - Focus on Community: In difficult times, support from others is invaluable. - Maintain a Positive Outlook: Even in the face of adversity, Ukrainians have maintained hope and optimism. By focusing on potential solutions rather than dwelling on problems, you can keep moving forward. - Draw Strength from Purpose: Having a clear sense of purpose and goals can provide motivation and direction. Ukrainians have demonstrated that staying focused on what truly matters can help sustain resilience.

It is important to keep in mind that one setback doesnt define you or your abilities. Rather than dwelling in the setback, think about what next. Understand the cause of the setback, and do what can be done to get out of this situation. Once the situation is managed, it is supremely important to document the learnings so this cycle doesnt repeat.

Being good in your area of knowledge - it will help in hard conversations , after listen , have good technical points to discuss Being resilient - not take things personally. Try to think about all the information you have and prepare an action plan Ask for help, share the risks

There is an expression in Jiu-Jitsu that is invaluable to all other aspects of life: you win or you learn. If those are your options, and you can get into that mindset, you will never lose again.

Practicar la empatía requiere abandonar el rol de juzgadores, aprender a preguntar y plantear las opiniones como hipótesis, dejando abierta puertas de solución y apostando siempre a la negociación y a la creatividad en la búsqueda de soluciones originales que contenga a los otros.

Empathy is like a superpower when it comes to connecting with clients and colleagues. When I take the time to really listen and understand their worries and needs, it's like I'm stepping into their world for a moment. This helps me build trust and show that I genuinely care about them. By being empathetic, I can create a positive and supportive work environment where relationships can grow stronger. And when things get tense, empathy has this amazing ability to ease the tension, strengthen connections, and lead us all towards successful outcomes.

The key to building lasting relationships lies in empathy. In my experience, clients navigating a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) environment deeply appreciate understanding and compassion. By prioritizing empathy, trust can be established and the opportunity to be seen as a warm-hearted advisor, which everyone values, is created.

Empathy is a cornerstone for consultants, enabling deeper client understanding and more effective problem-solving. By putting themselves in their clients' shoes, consultants can grasp concerns, motivations, and emotions more fully. This understanding fosters trust, strengthens relationships, and guides consultants in providing tailored solutions that genuinely meet client needs. Ultimately, empathy enhances collaboration, promotes client satisfaction, and elevates the overall impact of consulting engagements.

Every project will have challenges; while said challenges cannot always be mitigated, the one thing we can control is communication- both in terms of content and delivery. That said, one should: - succinctly identify an issue - invite relevant team members to the table to talk through options - propose a mitigation strategy - highlight opportunities for success and celebrate wins when they occur The other thing to keep in mind is ensuring all team members understand the WHY behind an effort. This helps keep everyone engaged and oriented around the same goal.

Clarity is a gift. At the beginning of your meeting raise the topics that you are trying to solve for. At the end, ensure that you read back the conclusion and actions on next steps for stakeholders present and not present.

1. "Clear communication is crucial for managing both your emotions and the situation effectively. When under pressure, articulate your thoughts and feelings assertively yet respectfully." 2. "Be honest about your capabilities and avoid letting frustration or anxiety influence your interactions. This transparency helps in setting realistic expectations." 3. "Convey your message with clarity and confidence to steer conversations positively. This approach minimizes misunderstandings and helps in reducing stress." 4. "Practice active listening and empathy to understand the perspectives of others, which can also contribute to a more constructive and less stressful dialogue."

Clareza, transparência e confiança devem sempre, reforço, sempre estar à frente de todas as situações em que o consultor se apresentar. Com isto o consultor sempre terá as rédeas da situação, será ouvido e comprendido e conquistará o respeito da outra parte.

É muito comum lidarmos com falhas de comunicação nas organizações. Dedicar um tempo para desenvolvermos a habilidade de comunicação é importante na formação de líderes.

One things I have found useful is to have “alone” time by taking a walk in the park and asking myself whether there is something different or better that I could have done! If so, how am I going to incorporate my lessons learnt! Having a confidante to discuss always serves as a relief in dealing with high pressure situations.

In addition to the tips above I also recommend debriefing with others. What worked well? What could have been done better? Did what I say/do resonate with others? What was useful? Where did I hit, or miss the mark? Importantly be open to feedback, which is the 'real' breakfast of champions.

La reflexión (mindfulness) es una practica muy sana, porque es generadora de ideas, de capas de análisis, de autocontrol de las conductas reactivas e impulsivas.

Reflection is like a muscle that needs to be exercise and asking the 3 Ws is a good discipline : 1. What was the expereience about? 2. So what did I learn? 3. Now what will I DO differently next time? This helps us to pre decide what will be a RESPOND and not REACT

At some point in your career you will come across a Customer who will provide negative feedback and will escalate an issue (real or perceived). It's difficult not to take this personally and take it home. The best thing is to remain open to the feedback, but also accept it is a part of the job. Ask yourself what you can take away from the experience, both from the feedback, and from the interaction with the customer.

From my perspective the most important capability of a consultant is to be able to LISTEN. Only if you can resist the temptation to directly give your perceptions, recommendations or even suggestions for solutions, will you be able to accept all arguments and possibly complaints, reflect on them and then react appropriately.

1. Detach yourself from the problem; understand the clients point of view & problems by listening intently to identify the desired outcome 2. Ask open ended questions that will make your client elaborate so you understand the situation better. 3. Read the room to understand the people dynamics. 4. Respond; don’t react.

Empathy and emotional detachment is essential for a consultant. A consultant provides guidance and probable solutions for a business requirement, but implementation might not be in the consultant's control. Sharing best practices, anecdotes from other sectors, industries to draw parallels would be a good way of reining in emotions, channeling energies towards reflection.

One thing I found helpful is such situation to deal with a high-pressure customer is to have your own way to get him be confident in you. Gaining the customer’s trust help to ease many hard situations as he has the trust that you can handle it.

As a CFO consultant, I've learned that managing emotions is as vital as managing projects. Let me share a recent experience I was presenting critical findings to a CEO from big company from Romania. The expectation was high becuase of poor financial perfomance of the company, with big Cash Flow issues. The tension was palpable. My approach was: Pause: Take three deep breaths Visualize: Picture a calm, focused version of myself Refocus: Direct attention solely to the presentation Result? A clear, impactful delivery that led to actionable insights, despite the high-pressure environment. I think in consulting, emotional intelligence isn't just nice to have—it's essential.