How to be assertive in high-pressure situations

Staying confident and assertive in high-pressure situations isn't just about puffing your chest out; it's a mental game, a strategy. It starts with preparation. You've got to be so well-prepared that you know the material better than anyone else in the room. Knowledge isn’t just power; it’s confidence. 🔥Practice stress inoculation. Put yourself in high-pressure situations regularly. It’s like building muscle. The more you lift, the stronger you get. The more you expose yourself to stress, the more resilient you become. Start small, then escalate. Speak up in meetings, then pitch to clients, then lead a project. Scale your exposure. 🔥Then there’s the mindset. Adopt a growth mindset. Every high-pressure situation is a chance to learn, not just a win or lose scenario. This perspective reduces fear of failure, which is often what undermines confidence. 🔥Manage your physiology. Breathe. Slow, deep breaths can lower your heart rate and calm your mind. It's simple, but it works. Use power poses if you must, stand in a way that signals to your brain that you're in charge. 🔥Visualize success. Sports psychologists swear by this. Imagine yourself succeeding in your high-pressure situation. See it, feel it, believe it. Confidence comes from seeing success before it happens. And remember, assertiveness isn't about being the loudest in the room; it's about being the clearest. Know what you want to achieve, articulate your points with clarity, and don’t waver. That’s real power. Now, go out there and own it.