Continue deep breathing exercises, take four deep breaths, hold them for four counts, and then release them for four counts. This helps to focus and reduce stress. To stay present, practice grounding exercises such as concentrating on the feelings in hands or feet. Before the meeting, a quick body scan meditation might help people relax and relieve stress. Visualize a successful encounter to increase confidence. Use active listening techniques during the meeting to stay focused and less nervous about your answers. Keep a caring attitude and remember that making mistakes is a necessary part of learning. Under duress, these easy methods provide a cool, collected manner.

Avoid scheduling back-to-back meetings without integrated transition times. Allowing five to ten minutes for transitions between meetings offers significant benefits, including smoother workflows and reduced stress. By modeling this behavior—ending your own meetings a bit early—you encourage others to follow suit. Incorporating moments of mindfulness into daily activities, such as focusing on the present during meetings or conversations, enhances attentiveness and presence. A simple way to integrate mindfulness is by adopting a mindful minute for focused breathing three times a day. This small but powerful habit can bring clarity and efficiency to your leadership by promoting calm, focus, and balance.

In high-stakes meetings, mindfulness practices can be essential for maintaining calm and clarity. Taking deep breaths not only reduces anxiety but also helps anchor the mind in the present moment. Visualizing a positive outcome boosts confidence and aligns actions with goals. Additionally, focusing on physical sensations, such as the feeling of your feet on the ground, provides emotional stability and focus. These strategies not only foster effective communication but also optimize decision-making under pressure.

Create an inspiring mantra, such as " I am a courageous, calm, confident leader" Say this mantra out loud or repeat it in your head or meditate on it Take a healthy pause before answering a thought-provoking question while allowing yourself to flex and redirect your plans for the scenario at hand Be a keen observer while evaluating and deciphering dynamics in the room Jezra Kaye: Practice presentation on a daily basis, enunciate as crisply and clearly as you can and eliminate filler words like "Umm" Exhibit Empathetic Leadership, manage group dynamics and foster a "safe" environment while streamlining emotions Practice diaphragmatic breathing ahead of the meeting to create a perspective of safety Enlist an external facilitator