While watching ESPN College Game Day at the Cotton Bowl for the “Red River Rivalry” between Oklahoma and Texas this past Saturday morning, Brent Venables, Oklahoma’s head coach, was interviewed. During the interview, one statement he made stood out. When asked how he and his players felt about being the underdog and not picked to win, he stated, “Pressure is opportunity.” I looked at Breana and said, “There’s my blog for next week.”

We often hear phrases such as…
They can’t handle the pressure…
They were under a lot of pressure…
Subjected to pressure…
Peer pressure…
Under pressure…

All of these have a negative connotation. Pressure is often associated with stress and discomfort. When was the last time we heard about pressure being on the positive side?

Leadership will always have pressure situations, making it a natural component. How we view those pressure situations will determine our leadership mindset. Deadlines, critical decisions, crises, etc… these situational moments allow for resilience, adaptability, and maybe even ingenuity to be seen.

Leadership has only two options when confronted with pressure. Seize the moment and showcase capability, or don’t. However, it’s always an opportunity. It takes little time for true leadership to emerge.

Think about it this way: pressure is movement. It either pushes or pulls.
In essence, it’s force. An often heard quote, “A diamond is a hunk of coal that made good under pressure.” Even though this is untrue, the metaphor is good. As a leader, we all have what our perceived limits are. Will we make good under pressure?

As a result, pressure always forces change. We are where we are, adapting to the given environment and continuing to succeed or deteriorating under pressure. Suppose leaders adopt the mentality that pressure encourages personal growth and achievement; then, experiences create memory moments that help forge future opportunities, teaching invaluable lessons and ultimately shaping their character and competence.

You want to be a quality leader? Reframe how you look at pressure. Unlock the potential that pressure offers. Empower yourself and embrace the opportunity.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…