The simplest definition of leadership is influencing others to do something while working towards a common goal or agenda. In 2022, I’m focusing on becoming a better leader in all areas of my life. As I grow, I’m sharing lessons and stories along the way. Thanks for tuning in and I hope something I share resonates with you in your leadership (influence) journey. 

Have you ever been boiling something in a pot with the top on it and it suddenly blew the top off? Or maybe you can relate to watching popcorn pop in a machine. The hotter it gets, the popcorn begins to pop and spill over.  Both of these examples relate to having a pressure build up. Many times, we find ourselves in the “pressure cooker”. The pressures of life, relationships, finances, health, career or any myriad of things can bring sudden pressure. How do we handle unexpected situations? Will the pressure make us retreat into silence and away from the root cause or will the pressure force us to confront the issue and use that to make us stronger and wiser? How does pressure affect us?

Pressure can be a good thing. If the heat in a popcorn machine doesn’t get hot enough, it won’t allow the kernels to pop producing the end result we desire. Diamonds become the shiny, bright gems we love by way of pressure. In their true form, they are not the beautiful stones we purchase. Pressure can help us become better individuals and leaders if we handle it correctly. In this case, pressure isn’t something to be feared but something to embrace. 

Pressure can be a bad thing if we are not ready for it and do not know how to handle it. Think about when a tire explodes while you’re driving. That’s not the kind of pressure we want. It can cause an accident and have severe consequences. In these types of situations, how can we avoid the pressure from

building up? Have we taken all the precautionary measures to ensure success? 

Next time you are suddenly faced with pressure, how will you react? How will you alleviate the pressure? How can you learn from the pressure in such a way that it leaves you stronger and better? Have we done the necessary “pre-checks” to avoid pressure build up?

~Coletta Jones Patterson

Coletta is an author, speaker, life coach and business executive who is passionate about helping others get unstuck. She hosts a beyond stuck podcast and has written seven inspirational books. Connect with Coletta at info@moveu4ward.com.