Most people think they have a stress problem.
They don’t.
They have a thinking pattern that tightens under pressure.
You see it in meetings.
In conflict.
In moments where the stakes feel just high enough.
Something happens — and suddenly the story kicks in.
“This isn’t working.”
“They don’t get it.”
“I’ve messed this up.”
And before long, you’re no longer responding to what’s actually happening.
You’re reacting to the story your mind is telling you about it.
Here’s the thing:
Your mind is brilliant.
It’s also very convincing.
Especially when you’re tired, triggered, or under pressure.
Left unchecked, it will:
fill in gaps
assume intent
and build a case — quickly
Not always an accurate one.
The work isn’t to stop thinking.
It’s to notice it.
To catch the moment where the story starts to run —
and create just enough space to choose something different.
Because the quality of your thinking
shapes the quality of your leadership.
And under pressure…
that gap matters.