I knew my day was about to take a wild turn. 🐍

The moment I saw the snake lounging on my washing machine yesterday, I knew my day was about to take a wild turn. 🐍

Within minutes, I was on the phone with the local snake catcher. The experience? 11/10, and here’s why:

He answered in just two rings (even though those two seconds felt like an eternity).

His voice was calm, self-assured, and had that late-night DJ vibe that negotiation expert Christopher Voss writes about in his book, "Never Split The Difference"

The moment I heard it, I knew I was in safe hands.

My cortisol levels dropped instantly.

He laid out three simple steps on the call:
1. Keep an eye on the target (AKA the snake).
2. Secure the exits with a damp towel.
3. Sit tight—he’d be over in 15 minutes.

So, what can we learn from this (without having a snake break in your home?)
- Your tone and demeanour set the stage. If you stay composed, your team will too.
- Provide clear, actionable steps that your team can follow without hesitation.
- Whether it's arriving on-site or following up on a task, promptness reinforces trust.

He arrived, and the snake was safely relocated.

Still, it took me a while to relax back into work mode—I guess you could say I was a bit rattled! (haha, sorry)......🐍
-> What's one thing you do to keep cool under pressure?
#calm #crisis #leadership