You have challenge, a presentation, a meeting that makes you nervous. We have all been there, maybe needing to present something at a level that you are not used to, to important stakeholders. If you do it well, it could mean a lot. If not – that makes you nervous, scared…
Imagine your favourite athlete, maybe it is Muhammad Ali, maybe Wayne Gretzki, right before a game. What is going on inside their heads? Going up against opposition that will try to make them lose, at the very least make their day really hard. Up against a risk to get injured, knowing that this could be the last game of the career.
Who your favourite athlete could be is less important, what matters is that you can identify yourself with the athlete, picture yourself in the lockerroom, focusing. You know that you are really good at what you do, you play because you love the game. You have chosen it, and you love it. The risks come with the job, you accept the risk. Knowing this, you might not have the possibility to choose if this is your last game. Of course, you will give it your best, and enjoy the game. Accepting the risk disarms the fear, the danger is real. Fear is a choice, and your athlete has chosen not to fear.
That is exactly how I would prepare for a really important board meeting, the dreaded internal audit or the opportunity to speak in front of 1000 strangers.
I have worked in leadership positions for almost 30 years, being payed for it. That by any standards is being a proffessional. I am good at what I do, and I love what I do – otherwise, why should I take the stress that comes with the tasks and challenges. Being a proffessional, of course I have to love the important games the most. With respnosibility comes risk, and I need to accept that I will not always be the right player for the team.
So, I open my eyes, step out of the lockerroom, into the meeting room. Excited, it’s important, but full of joy. Starting with a joke, I give it my best. If this is the last board meeting I get to do, I am going to enjoy it to the fullest. It will be a meeting to remember!