Winning under Pressure: Harnessing the Power of the Known
Embrace the Known to Reduce Risk and Perform Under Pressure
We all know situations in which we are under pressure to perform, whether it is a speech, a presentation during a critical meeting or when in a job interview for example. How do you prepare? Are you worried? I am convinced that with the right preparation you can be more focused and more relaxed in such situations and deliver great performance when it matters.
In any high-stakes situation, whether in sports, business, or life, there are elements you can anticipate. By identifying and embracing these known or expected factors, you reduce the risk of failure by minimizing surprises. Preparation rooted in this principle equips you to focus fully on your performance, regardless of external pressures.
Let me share a real-life example from my experience coaching high-performing athletes.
Staying Calm Amid the Storm: A simple case study in high-stakes athletics
At an international championship, one of my athletes was a medal contender in the hurdles. This race, like many others, came with inherent unpredictability: ten hurdles to clear, competitors in close proximity, and the ever-present risk of mistakes in the final stretch. Athletes often lose focus in the last 20 meters, succumbing to nerves and distractions.
This particular race featured five athletes with the capability to medal, making it exceptionally competitive. While the desire to win might drive aggression, the key to success was channeling that energy into calmness - an ability to remain composed, focused, and precise amid the chaos.
Our preparation centered on acknowledging and accepting the likely race dynamics. We anticipated that:
The competition would be tight, with runners side by side until the very end of the race.
This means athletes will get nervous and rush movements.
They will hit hurdles, lose their rhythm which can be very distracting especially at the very end of the race.
So the key was to remind my athlete that this is likely to happen and that his only job was to ignore that and focus solely on his next step.
By recognizing these challenges, my athlete was able to mentally "own" the situation until the very last hurdle. Acknowledging the noise and pressure created space for clarity and therefore my athlete was not distracted by those ‘external’ events but was able to stay focused on his next hurdle and own performance. Let others be distracted and make mistakes - his job was to execute his performance plan.
The result? The race unfolded as anticipated. Despite intense competition, my athlete remained calm and delivered a personal best and posting one of the fastest times globally that year in his category. In a very strong field, he earned a bronze medal, finishing only within hundredths of a second of the gold
Applying This Approach to Business and Life
High-stakes moments in business, such as critical presentations or negotiations, share similarities with elite athletic competitions. Success lies in preparation and anticipation, which build confidence and clarity under pressure. Consider a top-level meeting with a key client. To prepare effectively, some questions you can ask yourself:
Where will the meeting be held? Will I be comfortable in that environment? Can I manage the technology?
Who is my audience? What are their roles, expectations, and (hidden) agendas?
What is my objective and what is theirs? How can I link their strategy and objectives with mine?
What is my story?
What tough questions might they ask? Which questions am I not fully prepared or comfortable to answer and how can I navigate those?
What can I learn from past interactions?
What potential challenges might arise? How will I address them?
These questions provide a framework to anticipate and prepare for the situation, enabling you to focus on execution when the moment arrives and not to stress (or stress less) when things get tough.
The Power of Preparation
Performance in high-pressure moments is not about avoiding challenges but about embracing and preparing for them. By acknowledging the known and expected, you position yourself to remain calm, focused, and effective - whether you’re hurdling on a track or navigating a pivotal business meeting.
With the right preparation, you can step confidently into any high-stakes moment, knowing you’re ready to deliver your best when it matters most.
How do you feel ahead of high-stakes meetings or presentations? Take time to explore how you feel before such situations and what options you have to embrace the challenge. I am convinced anybody can become more comfortable through proper preparation and deliver great performances. I’d be happy to be your sparring partner on this journey.