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Struggling to Influence Difficult Colleagues (or Family Members)?

influence manage emotions struggle Dec 10, 2025

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this too, but during the holidays (or anytime stress runs unusually high) some people can become more difficult than usual. Emotions get bigger. Patience gets thinner. Small frustrations can escalate quickly.

And whether the tension comes from a colleague, a leader, or even a family member you love dearly… it can feel incredibly draining.

If you’re feeling like you’re losing energy or losing ground influencing those who are important for your year to end strong, here's a few simple, proven ways to prevent these moments from spiraling... and, in many cases, to de-escalate them before they even begin.

Step 1: Acknowledge and Validate (Without Agreeing)

When someone is frustrated or reactive, the fastest way to lower defensiveness is to name what you see and express understanding.

This does not mean you agree with their perspective.

You might say:

“It seems like you're upset about missing our numbers. I understand why that would feel stressful.”
“It sounds lik...

Wondering What's Next? Do This Consistently (Part 2 of 3)...

manage emotions pivot what's next Jul 01, 2025

My last three clients that have now recently landed CXO and executive leadership positions came to me wondering, “What is next for me?”

Some of them exited voluntarily. Some of them were exited involuntarily. And they had to take a moment and get some help through “What do I want? What is next for me? What impact do I choose to have?” And then we spent the time together to refine that clarity, put a plan in place, then help them land that next role.

I wanted to share some of the tips, tools, and strategies that were really successful for them.

Step 1: Be the observer not the judge of your emotions
If you're feeling stuck, feeling frustrated, maybe there's fear or worry wrapped in there. It's totally understandable. But what I want you to know is that there is wisdom in those emotions. Do not beat yourself up about those that can be very easy to do, but be the observer of them, not the judge. And so ask yourself if you are worried, or if you feel fear about what's next, or if you feel ...

1 Epic Formula to Manage Emotions When the Stakes Are High

champion doubtful emotional control formula manage emotions nervous release strategize success trust world-class Jun 13, 2017

(Scroll to the bottom to view the video.)

Being able to manage emotions is a tool that can come in handy during important events at school, at home or in competitive situations.

Since emotions drive behavior, this is an important skill to understand and master, so all your hard work can pay off. Once it’s game time, it is time to trust yourself. In other words, trust that your desired result will happen (even if you are not so sure!)

World-class athletes perform their best when they are calm, carefree (of the outcome) and focused (on the most important thing to do their best). In other words, they trust and believe in themselves. Not being able to manage emotions is distracting, and the consequences can be significant and frustrating.

Keep this formula in mind, and you too will be able to champion your best results:

Emotional Control + Trust = Success.

Here’s how to get started with managing your emotions, especially when the stakes are high: