Later in life, I learned that true strength isn’t about domination, it’s about discipline. Self-control is the most effective and efficient way to gain control in any situation.   In leadership, I’ve seen gifted people lose influence because they couldn’t manage frustration. I’ve also seen quiet, steady leaders gain deep respect simply by staying grounded when everyone else lost their cool. That’s when I began practicing what I call power under control, the ability to respond with purpose...

Years ago, my mentor George told me, “Jerry, leaders don’t have to have the loudest voice; they need the calmest presence.”   At that time, I was quick to react when things went wrong. A missed deadline, a sharp word, or a broken promise could ignite my emotions. Then I learned one of the most powerful tools of emotional intelligence: to respond, not to react.   Taking the time to think about a response does not show weakness; it’s wisdom. It’s the space between stimulus and response where...

I remember a day when everything seemed to go wrong: a client complaint, a team misunderstanding, and a family issue all hit at once. My emotions felt like a thunderstorm with no shelter in sight. I wanted to lash out and shut down. Then I remembered something I often tell my clients:   “You can’t stop the storm, but you can choose where you stand in it.”   That’s where self-regulation begins, the ability to guide my emotions instead of being ruled by them. I went for a short walk, took slow...