Hey Reader,

When Pressure Hits, Let Go of the Ego

There’s a moment on almost every project where things start to feel… unsteady.

For me, that moment came during an event delivery in Dubai.

I didn’t know the local regulations.

I didn’t have a network on the ground.

And timelines were tight.

Every part of me wanted to step in and figure it out myself. But I knew that forcing control in unfamiliar territory wouldn’t move us forward.

In fact, it could slow us down or cause real damage.

So I paused.

And reminded myself:

My job isn’t to have all the answers.

It’s to create the conditions where the right people can do their best work.

I brought in a local event management partner. They understood the city, the rules, and the suppliers. I shifted my focus to alignment, communication, budget oversight, and making fast decisions with the information they surfaced.

The result? We delivered.

Not because I controlled everything, but because I let go of ego, stayed calm, and focused on trust.

Here’s what most people get wrong in high-pressure moments:

They think they have to fix it all.

Fast.

Alone.

But when the PM panics, the whole room feels it — including the client.

Real leadership isn’t loud.

It isn’t reactive.

It’s steady.

Strategic.

And rooted in presence.

When pressure builds, try this:

• Step back before you lean in. Create space to think clearly. Don’t rush to be the hero — ego will cost you time.
• Let go of the need to know it all. No amount of Googling or guessing will help if it’s not your lane. Delegate, don’t dilute.
• Ask: “Who’s better placed to solve this?” Then empower them. You have experts on your team for a reason — use them.
• Focus on the outcome, not your ownership. No one remembers who solved the problem — only that it got solved.
• Stay visibly calm. Your composure is contagious. If you’re centred, your team and client will be too.
• Protect trust, not pride. When your team sees you managing expectations, creating breathing room, and shielding them from chaos — their trust in you deepens. That trust compounds.

The best PMs stay steady when things wobble.

They lead from the middle.

And they protect both the people and the outcome.

Have a blessed week 🙏🏾

Yomi

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