The Leadership Reflex Self-Check: How Do You Lead Under Pressure?

By Zoé Lewis, Executive Coach & CEO, The Leadership Coaches

When pressure hits, our habits show up first.

I’ve noticed it in myself, the instant something slips, I’m already fixing, organising, and problem-solving! It’s useful, but it can also stop others who could add value to the situation.

Over the years, I’ve seen this play out with hundreds of senior leaders. They all lead brilliantly when calm, but when the pressure is on the rise, an old reflex takes the wheel.

This quick self-check helps you spot yours. Awareness is the first step to growth.

Take the Self-Check

Choose the option that feels most natural to you, be conscious to your mind, often our desire is not the same as our reality, be open with yourself, no one else knows what you're thinking!

Situation	A	B	C
A project starts going off-track	I jump in to fix it	I pull people together to talk it through	I step back and rethink the wider plan
Someone challenges your view	I defend it calmly but firmly	I explore what they're seeing that I'm not	I ask how their view could shape our next move
You're short on time and a big decision is due	I make the call and move forward	I check in with a trusted colleague	I pause briefly to test the long-term impact
Tension rises in a meeting	I steer it back to solutions	I slow the pace and listen	I remind everyone of our bigger goal

Which letter appears most often for you? A, B, C? A mix?

Your Leadership Reflex

🧩 A - The Fixer

You're decisive, quick and dependable. You bring order to chaos and keep the wheels turning.

Your strength is pace; your risk is closing loops too soon.

Try this: Before you act, take one minute to breathe and ask "What might happen if I didn't fix this straight away?".

🗣️ B - The Facilitator

You create space for others and help people connect the dots.

Your strength is in collaboration; your risk is over-consulting.

Try this: When a decision stalls, ask "What's one thing I already know enough to move on?".

🌍 C - The Futurist

You see patterns and implications before others do.

Your strength is perspective; your risk is distance, people may feel left behind while you think ahead.

Try this: Before sharing your next big idea, ask "Whose input will help make this real?".

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A Closing Thought

Your reflexes aren’t flaws, they’re habits that once served you well. The real shift happens when you learn to spot them and choose differently.

If this resonated, share it with a colleague or discuss it in your next team meeting. Small reflections like this often spark big changes.

Zoé Lewis, CEO, Founder, Coach

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