Respond Like a Leader, Not a Reactor
You know those moments.
A client accuses you of something before you’ve even finished the exam.
A tech rolls their eyes in front of everyone.
A conversation that started small suddenly feels charged.
In a busy practice, tensions rise fast, and before you know it, words fly that no one can take back.
It happens to every leader.
Great leadership doesn’t mean you never get upset or frustrated. Great leadership is determined by what you do when you are.
When emotions spike, your first instinct might be to defend, correct, or withdraw.
That’s reacting.
Responding looks different. It’s intentional. Grounded. Purposeful.
Here’s what that looks like in the moment:
Take a breath (or ten).
Let the first wave of emotion roll through before speaking.
Ask yourself: “What do I actually want to accomplish right now?”
Calm doesn’t come naturally—it’s a skill you practice.
And not every situation calls for the same tone.
Some people need gentleness. Others need clarity and directness.
What matters most is self-awareness, knowing when you’re leading from intention, not emotion.
As I often remind my clients, “You can’t lead well if you’re leading from emotion.”
If you’d like to strengthen this skill and bring more steadiness to your leadership, I’ve put together resources to help you be the leader you want to be.
