by Jacqueline Brassey , Aaron De Smet , Michiel Kruyt
What happens to your brain when disaster strikes at work? When a crisis hits, our biology hijacks our minds, instantly plunging us into a defensive “fight or flight” mode. But what if you could rewire your reaction to unprecedented pressure? Today, we explore the core concept from Deliberate Calm by McKinsey experts Jacqueline Brassey, Aaron De Smet, and Michiel Kruyt. Discover the game-changing power of “Dual Awareness”—the ability to objectively observe external facts while simultaneously monitoring your internal emotional state. Learn how a simple micro-pause can shift you from the defensive “Protection Zone” to the creative “Learning Zone,” allowing you to lead through volatility with clarity and confidence.
Enjoyed this? Upgrade to our Premium feed for the full 18-minute deep dive where we unpack the “Four Stages of Adaptability,” the dangerous “Protection Purpose” trap, and 3 actionable grounding techniques you can use in under ten seconds. Upgrade your mindset, protect your energy, and keep your Momentum!
Jacqueline Brassey is a prominent expert in organizational health and a co-leader at the McKinsey Health Institute. With over 25 years of experience spanning global business and academia, she holds a PhD in Economics and Business and a Master’s in Affective Neuroscience. Brassey is a leading …
Aaron De Smet is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and a leading authority on organizational health, leadership, and transformational change. With over 20 years of experience, he advises global executive teams on building agile, high-performing cultures. De Smet holds a Ph.D. in social and …
Michiel Kruyt is an expert in leadership development and organizational transformation, known for his fifteen-year tenure as a partner at McKinsey & Company. As the co-founder of Aberkyn and CEO of IMAGINE—an advisory firm co-founded with Paul Polman—he has spent decades advising global executives …
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