In the fast-paced world of emergency communications, where decisions need to be made quickly and efficiently, the pressure can feel unrelenting.

The good news is – there’s a powerful way to shift how you operate in high-pressure situations. Strategic pauses are about creating small moments, many times, throughout your day to step out of the reactive “survival brain” and into your “wise brain”— the part of your mind that allows you to mitigate the impact of stress and respond with clarity and resilience.

Think of your stress like a pressure gauge. Many people internalize stress throughout the day, waiting until the end of their shift to release the valve. By that point, the pressure has built up so high that it can feel overwhelming and has already taken a toll. Instead, pausing systematically throughout your day is like releasing that pressure little by little. Each pause resets your nervous system, allowing you to stay grounded, think more clearly, and operate more consistently in wise brain mode.

Each time you pause, even for a few seconds, you strengthen your capacity to lead effectively. Pausing may feel difficult, especially when the stakes are high, but it can be a game-changer. The more present you are, the more focused and effective you become. This leads to better resource management, clearer communication, and more thoughtful decision-making, both at work and in your personal life.

The journey to building deeper resilience begins with creating space for presence. By learning to pause, you cultivate the ability to balance your own internal needs while effectively addressing both immediate response demands and the long-term health of your organization.