“We’re in the thick of it”: is adrenaline really the only fuel for leadership?

“We’re in the thick of it.”

Those were the opening words of a general manager at the kick-off session for his Sales Director’s coaching. His way of setting the tone. Of signalling what he expects.

I’ve said it. I’ve heard it — from CEOs, CFOs, CHROs. “People who don’t wake up wondering where it’s going to hurt won’t last.” “If it’s too easy, we weren’t ambitious enough.”

Sounds extreme? Listen to your next team meeting. Count the words that evoke hardship, effort, resistance.

When I lived this fuel from the inside

In 2008, my company lost 40% of its revenue overnight. The HR function was immediately on the front line: short-time work, restructuring, redundancy plans.

I built a ‘strike force’ team. Extraordinary solidarity, exceptional commitment. And a fatigue I heard in them — because they had the courage to say so — that I wasn’t listening to in myself.

It was them who taught me that releasing pressure at certain moments is what allows you to last.

The experience that changed everything

A few weeks ago, a client had been procrastinating for weeks about having a difficult conversation with an underperforming team member. Normally I’d have gone straight to action planning.

That day, I did the opposite.

“Look, it’s fine if you don’t talk to her. Maybe it’s kinder to yourself to do nothing right now. And that’s OK. What do you think?”

Silence.

Then something untangled. We went straight into the emotional core he’d been avoiding for weeks. And once the knot was undone, he moved faster than ever.

Less pressure. More movement. More lasting.

Two types of fuel — and their real cost

Adrenaline starts the engine fast. It’s necessary in crises, sprints, moments when you have to hold no matter what. But it burns fast and leaves you dry.

The energy that comes from untangling a knot renews itself.

At the end of that day I had more energy than after a full day in ‘the thick of it.’ Not because I’d been soft. Because I hadn’t wasted fuel needlessly — not for me, not for them.

In your next meeting, what’s the one word you could remove without anyone noticing — and that might change everything?

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