We live in a world that seems to celebrate and praise busyness and urgency. So the concept of calmness might seem counterintuitive to achieving success. Certainly, in our professional lives, calmness is not always celebrated as a key strength. Most organisational cultures reward fast-paced, visible achievements such as project delivery, cost savings, and sales targets. As important as those are, this is often at the expense of calm leadership that may not always receive the recognition it deserves. Even in job interviews, calmness is sometimes misconstrued as a lack of passion or enthusiasm, or worse, a sign of weakness.
The Power of Calm Leadership
Yet, calmness is not just a helpful characteristic; it’s a powerful behaviour that can contribute significantly to personal and professional success. People with calm character traits are often some of the most reliable decision-makers and confident, strong leaders. They bring a sense of tranquillity to challenging situations, providing a steady hand to guide their teams through crises.
Calm behaviours go beyond tranquillity. They involve a mindset that avoids excessive worry and anxiety about future problems. Calm individuals plan ahead but don’t succumb to the paralysis of overthinking or catastrophising potential scenarios. Instead, they adeptly handle issues as they arise and skillfully sidestep procrastination. The ability to remain calm in the face of adversity or, better yet, prevent crises altogether, is a hallmark of effective leadership.
Redefining Calmness in the Workplace
Recognising the importance of calmness, especially in the modern workplace, requires a re-evaluation of its place on the behavioural competency map. Calmness is a skill that enables individuals to meet the challenges of a dynamic environment with grace and composure. As a leader, embodying calmness can inspire your team to approach challenges with a level-head and rational mindset.
12 Benefits of Embracing Calmness
If you need further persuasion about the merits of calmness, consider the tangible benefits it brings to your personal and professional life:
- Problem-solving: Develop the ability to deal with problems as they happen, responding with clarity and composure. When faced with a tight deadline, a calm approach allows you to prioritise tasks efficiently and find effective solutions.
- Compassion: Learn to be more compassionate, both to yourself and others, building positive relationships. Treating colleagues with empathy and understanding can create a more harmonious work environment.
- Self-belief: Develop greater self-belief in your ability to cope when things go wrong, enhancing your resilience. Trusting in your abilities can help you weather the storm and bounce back from setbacks.
- Positivity: Free your mind to notice the positives in life and celebrate successes, fostering a positive outlook. Acknowledging small wins and expressing gratitude can boost morale and motivation.
- Overthinking: Stop or avoid overthinking, allowing for more effective decision-making and action. When presented with a complex problem, a calm mindset allows you to assess the situation objectively and take decisive action.
- Acceptance: Acknowledge that people are not perfect, and mistakes will happen to foster a culture of understanding. Leading with calmness means accepting that errors are part of the learning process and focus on solutions rather than blame.
- Catastrophising: Avoid ‘all or nothing’ thinking that leads to catastrophising and stress. Approaching challenges with a balanced perspective can prevent unnecessary anxiety and burnout.
- Procrastination: Steer clear of procrastination and instead deal with problems with a rational mindset, boosting productivity. Tackling tasks calmly and systematically can help you stay on track and meet deadlines.
- Clarity: See things with a clear head, keeping problems in proportion and making informed decisions. In high-pressure situations, a calm approach allows you to assess risks and opportunities more effectively.
- Busyness Trap: Avoid getting caught in the ‘busyness trap,’ taking more time to ‘just be’ and recharge. Prioritising self-care and work-life balance is essential for maintaining a calm and focused mindset.
- Stress Management: Cope better with stress as you won’t worry about problems before they happen. Practicing calmness techniques like deep breathing or meditation can help you manage stress more effectively.
- Confidence: Feel a greater sense of inner confidence and relaxation. Embracing calmness can boost your self-assurance and help you project an air of quiet authority.
Your Calm Revolution Starts Now!
Whilst society does seem to celebrate constant activity and perpetual busyness, finding your calm can be empowering. It is not about avoiding challenges but facing them with a composed and rational mindset. When you adopt calmness, you open up opportunities to achieve more, create effective relationships, and traverse the complexities of life with resilience.
I’ve been working on bringing more calm to my work for a while now and I do believe I achieve more – will you give it a try?
Want to know more?
Sarah Harvey is Founding Director of Savvy Conversations Ltd and author of the highly acclaimed book “Savvy Conversations: A practical framework for effective workplace relationships.”
Website: https://savvyconversations.co.uk
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savvysarah
X: @SarahSavvySarah
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