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Aspire to be a CEO: Don’t Panic or Lose your Temper

Temper tantrums, sulking, finger-pointing are all signs of panic. More corporate heads have rolled because of the above than any other single display of emotion.

When managers panic, they lose their temper and behave in what would go down in history as the ‘best regrettable moment’. Good CEOs do not panic. nor lose their temper. They are confident and in-control in adverse situations. That earns them the respect.
If a colleague makes an unkind comment to you, do not respond. It is OK to smile.Your supporters will be as offended as you. Your detractors will sense your control. Anybody e;lose will see you above the fray. Do not get angry. Even when anger is justified, observers are put off by the angry person.
This can be a cultivated habit and its importance cannot be underemphasized.Calm down. Tell yourself to say calm. If you have ten seconds to make a decision, think for nine.
Let me illustrate with a story, I heard not so long ago.
In the course of making fine wine, one of the crucial periods is the crush. The crush is those few weeks when grape is selected for harvest, tested for quality, chosen or rejected and crushed to release the juice that will eventually become wine. Mistakes or misjudgements during the crus can adversely impact the entire vintage resulting in damaged reputation and reduced prices and profits.
Some years ago, in the mist of a crush at a famous winery, the president received a frantic call from his managers. The winemaker has resigned. The president immediately knew three damage potential but he stayed calm and thought for a few moments and then asked, “what would you do if the winemaker died instead of resigned?”. The managers said they would make so-and-so the winemaker. “So be it”, said the president and the new winemaker carried the winery tradition for fifteen more years.
Go ahead! Start taking control of your temper before it controls you..