The Executive Coach's Blog
This executive coach's blog, looks at the survival techniques of the trapped 33 San Jose miners, and the lessons for business.
Executive Group Coaching - Thinking Clearly Under Pressure
The 33 San Jose miners have been trapped underground since August 5th. Mario Sepulvedra is offering to the worlds media, a guided tour of the area.
As the camera fixes on a table where dominoes have been laid out, he says, 'This is where we entertain ourselves, where we play cards. We meet here every day. We plan, we have assemblies here every day so that all the decisions we make are based on the thoughts of all 33'.
The key statement here is about decision-making based on the needs of the collective. In an emergency, all minds are focused on only one outcome...survival. It causes precise and critical thinking, where every decision made has consequences.
Emergencies create focus. And focus is the glue that facilitates good decision-making. It means that decisions are made in alignment with the core purpose and mission of the group. Not at the whim, or personal gain of the leader.
A leader should hold the picture of what the future looks like for their group. And know the path that needs to be taken to create that future. Their role is to serve the cause. Not themselves.
That's why humility is such a vital quality for any leader. For humility keeps them grounded, and serves as a reminder of why they do what they do, and who they do it for.
In San Jose all of this is known instinctively. For when the aim is to save lives, the best of the human qualites come to the fore.
In business there may not be lives at stake. But clarifiying the reason why you do what you do, and who you do it for, will clear the mind and give resonance to your decision-making.
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