330. Why Your Decision Making Under Pressure Fails | Michelle "MACE" Curran

Most leaders think they're managing stress. A lot of the time they're managing fear.

Michelle "MACE" Curran is a combat veteran and former fighter pilot who flew lead solo for the Thunderbirds. Her book, The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower, outlines how fear isn't something to get rid of — but rather something to use to make better calls when the pressure is highest.

What kept her steady in the cockpit is exactly what leaders need on the ground.

In this episode, you will learn:

Why the self-doubt or anger you feel is actually hiding fearHow to mentally rehearse difficult conversationsA two-second reset you can use anywhere without anyone noticingHow much pressure you need to be a high performerHow to build trust quickly in your team (and then keep it)What to say when someone on your team makes a costly mistake

Topics discussed:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:11) Fear That Lives in Your Mind

(02:51) Overthinking & Self-Doubt

(04:27) Self-Regulation Tools

(10:27) Too Little Pressure Is a Problem

(15:40) Setting the Standard for Female Pilots