From Wickets to Wins: Leadership Lessons Under Pressure

Ever wonder what sets exceptional leaders apart, especially in high-pressure situations? If your mind jumps to technical skills or industry experience, think again!

The secret often lies in something much more dynamic—leadership under pressure.

Just like a cricket captain steering the team through intense matches, great leaders excel by making quick, strategic decisions, keeping morale high, and staying calm under fire. These traits aren't just beneficial in sports—they're crucial for HR professionals managing the complexities of modern workplaces.

Join us as we understand what it takes to inspire and lead even when the stakes are high.

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CHRO Connect

Watch as Mr. Conrad Alves, Vice President of People at Travel Food Services—SSP Group PLC UK, shares his experiences on Leadership Under Pressure.

Facing the number

53% of leaders are likely to become more closed-minded and controlling in high-stress situations, rather than open and curious.

In-Focus

From the Cricket Pitch to the Corner Office: Let’s understand what it takes to lead effectively in high-pressure situations

1. The Calm in the Storm

Just like a cricket captain facing a nail-biting match, exceptional leaders remain calm under pressure. Instead of reacting impulsively, they pause, assess, and make informed decisions. This composure instils confidence in the team, ensuring everyone stays focused.

2. Strategic Thinking on the Fly

In cricket, captains often have to change strategies mid-game. Similarly, leaders in the corporate world must be agile, and ready to pivot when needed. This requires a keen sense of situational awareness and the ability to think several steps ahead, balancing short-term actions with long-term goals.

3. Building Trust and Unity

A successful cricket team relies on trust among players and a shared commitment to the team's success. In the workplace, leaders must build a culture of trust and unity, where team members feel supported and valued. This trust is crucial, especially in times of crisis, as it encourages collective problem-solving.

4. Resilience and Recovery

No match is without setbacks, and no leader is immune to challenges. The best cricket captains and corporate leaders alike demonstrate resilience, bouncing back from failures and using them as learning opportunities. They also encourage their teams to do the same, promoting a culture where resilience is celebrated, and setbacks are seen as stepping stones to success.

“The greatest people are self-managing – they don’t need to be managed. Once they know what to do, they’ll go figure out how to do it. What they need is a common vision. And that’s what leadership is having a vision; being able to articulate that so the people around you can understand it; and getting a consensus on a common vision." –Steve Jobs, Former CEO, Apple

Worth A Listen

• Channelling Mind over Matter! 4 mental actions to handle high-pressure work

• How Top Leaders Think: 3 Key Differences Tune in to know!

• Leading from The Hot Seat. Hear what the former CEO of GE has to say

Around the HR World     

• Conventional wisdom won’t cut it: You need bold, innovative strategies to navigate the complexities of flattened organisations, evolving employee expectations, and relentless change.

• Crises make leaders: Demanding situations you face over the course of your career are likely to be the moments that define who you are as a leader and, potentially, as a person.

• Why change fails: When it comes to defensive versus progressive corporate transformations, defensive transformations are less likely to succeed.

The Healthy Take

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