Confidence Under Pressure: How Leaders Prepare For Their Big Moment
- Mar 6
- 3 min read
By Jason P. Armstrong
Retired police chief, National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame inductee, best-selling author and leadership keynote speaker
High-stakes moments have shaped much of my leadership journey. As a police chief, I led the Ferguson Police Department years after the killing of Michael Brown Jr., at a time when trust was fragile, emotions were raw, and every decision carried national implications. I later guided my department through the unrest following the murder of George Floyd, navigating operational risk, public accountability, and community tension simultaneously. In moments like these, hesitation or emotionally driven decisions can create consequences far beyond the immediate crisis.
Because of this experience, I am often asked to lend perspective during critical incidents at the national level through media appearances on CNN, MSNBC, ABC
News, and CBS News. Whether leading on the ground or contributing to national conversations, I have learned a consistent truth: pressure does not create leaders, it reveals them. Effective decision-making in these environments is less about the crisis and more about internal readiness, clarity, and composure.
How do you make decisions when the stakes are high?
When the stakes are high, every decision I make is filtered through three priorities established long before a crisis appears. First, everyone goes home. Second, communicate with everyone. Third, remain flexible. These priorities act as a compass when pressure is high, information is incomplete, and emotions are elevated.
Clear priorities reduce hesitation and prevent reactive decisions. Each option is evaluated by asking whether it supports safety, transparency, and adaptability. This approach does not guarantee perfect outcomes, but it ensures decisions are intentional and defensible. Even when results are uncertain, leaders should be able to clearly explain why a decision was made.
What strategy saved you from a costly mistake?
One of the most valuable strategies I rely on is remaining flexible while staying anchored to core priorities. That lesson was reinforced during the unrest in Ferguson following the murder of George Floyd.
After our police headquarters had been attacked during earlier riots, including attempts to set the building on fire, I established a no-protest zone in the department parking lot for safety reasons. One day, without notice, a group of protesters entered that restricted area. I went out prepared to enforce the boundary.
Instead, the group’s leader asked me to de-escalate rather than escalate, signaling that if I allowed them some grace, the event would remain brief. I chose flexibility. Although tension rose as the group moved through the lot, they ultimately returned to their vehicles and left without incident. Later, the leader thanked me for defusing the situation. Flexibility, grounded in clear priorities, prevented an encounter that could have escalated into violence.
How do leaders stay calm under pressure?
Leaders stay calm under pressure by building confidence before pressure arrives. Calm is not a personality trait. It is the result of trusting your ability to handle what comes next.
This belief sits at the heart of my keynote, Confidence Under Pressure: What’s In Your C.U.P.? The framework focuses on three pillars that shape confidence in demanding moments: preparation, experience, and perspective. When these elements are developed over time, confidence becomes durable. Pressure does not disappear, but it no longer controls the leader.
The takeaway
High-stakes leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about showing up with clarity, composure, and conviction when others are looking for direction. Pressure will always exist. The difference is whether it overwhelms the leader or reveals their preparation.
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