Under Pressure? - Leadership Lessons Served by Björn Borg

Thank you for listening to The Champion Forum Podcast! Björn Borg is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and the key to his success was his ability to stay focused under extreme pressure. Composure is one of the most underrated qualities in leadership today. On today’s episode, we’ll talk about one of the most underrated leadership qualities, composure. You’ll learn the secrets to keeping your head when the stakes are high, emotions are charged, and people are watching how you respond.

Every leader faces moments where they could easily become emotional; Employees who test their patience, business pressures that threaten to knock them off balance, and even critics who push their buttons. But we have a choice: Do we lose our cool and play the man? Or do we keep our composure and play the ball?

Composure Builds Trust

People follow leaders who don’t flinch under pressure. They look for steadiness when everything else feels shaky. And composure keeps us focused on solutions, not distractions. When leaders respond calmly, people are more willing to open up about their failures, problems, and concerns. The trust built by leadership composure allows you to use even the most challenging situations to build trust, encourage innovation, and build engagement.

Q: Describe a time when you saw a leader act with composure. What reaction did you expect? How did their reaction impact you? How did the experience compare with a time when you saw a leader reaction emotionally?

5 Ways to Strengthen Your Leadership Composure

Pause Before You React

Take a breath, count to three, or even excuse yourself before responding. A pause prevents a rash reaction.

Focus on the Issue, Not the Emotion

Just like Björn focused on the ball, stay centered on the real problem instead of the personalities or drama swirling around it.

Control Your Environment

Keep your tone calm, your body language open, and your volume steady. People will mirror your energy.

Reframe the Pressure

Instead of seeing pressure as a threat, view it as an opportunity to show strength and earn respect.

Practice Under Fire

Put yourself in situations where you’re tested, like public speaking, tough negotiations, or high-stakes meetings. Composure grows with exposure.

Q: What situations make you feel more likely to react emotionally? Which of these tactics do you think will help you the most? Why?

Application Activities:

1. Notice the moments that test your composure. Keep a journal about times when you respond calmly and times when you keep your composure. Bringing awareness to your weaknesses and learning from your strengths will help you develop this skill further. Consider the following questions as you journal each instance:

·       What was the problem?

·       Who was involved?

·       Where did the problem take place?

·       What was I feeling before the problem?

·       What other factors influenced how I responded?

2.     Come up with an exit plan. After a week, review the journal you created and come up with a way to exit the conversation and give yourself time. By having a script you can go back to, you will make it easier to choose to stay calm and to take the time you need to ensure you respond rather than react.