Episode 334: When you’re overwhelmed and thinking, “What am I doing here—can I really do this?”, how do you tap into a calm leadership mindset that keeps you moving (and protects your business worth)?
You’ve probably had days where the workload feels too heavy. The path forward feels unclear, and your brain starts spinning worst-case scenarios. That’s exactly when your leadership matters most. Stress can quietly hijack your ability to communicate clearly, stay steady, and help your team perform. This episode offers a calm leadership mindset you can lean on when you’re stretched thin, helping you regain focus, reduce stress, and lead with intention even when the summit feels out of reach.
By listening, you’ll gain:
- A calm leadership mindset you can use in real time to stop spiraling and focus on the next small step instead of the whole impossible climb.
- A simple way to rebuild momentum during high-stress seasons so you and your team don’t stall out when the pressure is on.
- A practical method for helping your team break down big work into doable chunks, creating confidence, follow-through, and less overwhelm.
Press play now to steal this calm leadership mindset and walk away with a one-step-at-a-time strategy you can use today to feel steadier—and help your team do the same.
Adopting a Calm Leadership Mindset When the Climb Feels Too Big
00:00 — You’ve been there: the moment you’re in the middle of a challenge and suddenly wonder, “What was I thinking?” This sets up the emotional reality of leadership when doubt hits hard.
00:54 — David shares the setup: visiting his daughter in Guatemala and agreeing to what sounded like a simple hike that turns into an overnight volcano trek.
01:39 — The climb begins—heavy packs, steep terrain, and the realization that he’s pushing beyond his usual comfort zone (and maybe his age bracket, too).
02:34 — Exhaustion meets discomfort: cramped sleeping conditions, almost no sleep, and an early wake-up that sets the stage for a tough mental game.
03:23 — The hardest part starts with hiking in the dark, slipping in volcanic sand, and getting separated from the group. Suddenly, it’s just persistence and grit keeping them going.
One Step at a Time: Finding Momentum Again
04:14 — The internal spiral kicks in: “Can I really do this?” David connects that doubt to what leaders face any time they aim for something bigger than where they are now.
05:18 — Avery struggles too, tensions rise, and everything feels harder. This is where leadership becomes less about inspiring words and more about staying steady under strain.
06:13 — A passing guide offers the simple phrase “Poco a poco”. That’s the shift to a calm leadership mindset, focusing on the next step rather than the entire mountain.
07:21 — They keep moving, inch by inch, and make it to the summit. Proof that the calm leadership mindset works even when the climb is brutal, and progress feels slow.
08:18 — David brings it back to your team: you can coach a calm leadership mindset by breaking big goals into the smallest possible following action. What can happen in the next 30 minutes?
Good podcast. I enjoyed it so much.
Thanks Christian – I’m so glad it was helpful!