Ever wish you could un-send that email or take back a hasty answer in a high-stakes meeting? In this episode of Shelley on Your Shoulder, I’ll reveal a deceptively simple yet powerful leadership tool—the pause. Learn how to transform reactive moments into deliberate choices that increase clarity, composure, and confidence under pressure.

Key Takeaways:

•  Why quick reactions sabotage clarity, relationships, and outcomes
• How fight-flight-freeze shows up in leadership moments
• The three-step Pause–Assess–Choose method for responding instead of reacting
• How naming feelings interrupts knee-jerk responses
• Rewriting the story in your head with facts, not assumptions
• Reframing “urgent” emails and senior leader asks
• A real-world COVID HR case study showing how a pause improved performance reviews
• Practical prompts, scripts, and micro-routines to use right away
• How long a pause should last—and how to know when it’s enough

I’ll walks through how your body signals urgency, and how a 30-second pause can reset your thinking. You’ll learn to name what you feel, separate fact from story, and choose the next smallest effective action. From handling tough questions to crafting calm, effective replies to “need this now” emails, these skills help you lead with steadiness when stakes are high.

If you’re ready to trade reactivity for clarity and confidence, this episode delivers actionable tools for mindful leadership, psychological safety, and practical stress management.

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Ready to begin your own leadership journey or have questions? Visit 7bigconsulting.com to schedule your complimentary discovery call today. Begin transforming your leadership journey with the clarity to lead and the confidence to succeed.