Doug NollI'm called in when human dynamics are getting in the way of strategic leadership execution.

Stay Calm Under Pressure Using This Brain Trick

8 Oct 2025 · 1 min

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When you feel attacked in a meeting, your brain diverts blood from the thinking regions and hijacks your nervous system. Naming the feeling silently, like "I feel attacked," registers the emotion and restores cognitive control.

This is the exact reason why you fall apart completely under pressure while others get stronger. And it's not about confidence. You see, when someone attacks your idea in a meeting, your brain reacts like you are in danger. Blood flow leaves the thinking part of your brain and your nervous system gets hijacked. But there's a way to fix this that only few people know about. It's called affect labeling. The moment you feel pressure, quietly say this to yourself: I feel attacked. Naming the feeling tricks your brain to turn your thinking back on. Save this video for your next high-pressure moment.