It was a moment I’ll never forget. I was on stage, speaking to a room of 200 people during one of my signature keynotes. The energy was electric, and I was in my flow—until I wasn’t.
Standing at the far end of the stage, without any notes to guide me, my mind went completely blank. It was as if everything I had prepared had vanished, leaving me alone in the silence.
For a split second, panic gripped me. My heart raced, my palms dampened, and the sound of the audience’s quiet expectation seemed deafening. My thoughts spiralled: What if I can’t recover? What will they think?
But in the chaos of that moment, I realised I had a choice.
I could give in to fear and let it take over—or I could pause, breathe, and trust that what I needed was still within me, waiting to be found.
So, I paused. Not out of strategy, but out of necessity. I took a deep breath and let the silence linger for a second or two (which is a great strategy when delivering a keynote – just not in that moment!).
And in that pause, the words came back to me. The flow returned, the audience stayed with me, and I didn’t miss a beat.
This pivotal moment became a powerful reminder of one of the greatest tools we have as leaders: the pause.
Why Pausing is So Powerful
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers all the time. It’s about how you navigate the moments when you don’t.
In today’s fast-paced world, where we’re expected to respond instantly and decisively, the pause feels counterintuitive. But it’s in those quiet moments that clarity, confidence, and strength are born.
The pause gives you space to:
- Recenter Yourself: A pause interrupts the spiral of fear or overthinking, grounding you in the present.
- Reconnect with Your Purpose: It creates a moment to remember why you’re here and what truly matters.
- Respond with Intention: Instead of reacting out of panic, you can choose your next move with clarity and focus.
Studies show that pausing for just a few seconds can lower stress hormones like cortisol and help your brain regain clarity.
The pause isn’t just for moments on stage—it’s a tool leaders can use every day to navigate uncertainty, pressure, and challenges. Here’s how:
- Breathe
When emotions run high or your mind races, take a slow, deep breath. This simple act lowers stress and helps you regain control. - Anchor Yourself
Find something that grounds you in the moment. It could be standing tall, making eye contact with your team, or silently repeating a phrase like: I’ve got this. - Trust Yourself
Trust that you already have what you need. Even if the answer feels lost, it’s within you, waiting to emerge. - Create Space for Others
Pausing isn’t just about your response. It also gives space for others to share, think, and connect. Pausing in conversations can deepen understanding and build trust with your team.
What the Audience Saw
Here’s the most surprising part: from the audience’s perspective, my moment of blankness didn’t look like a stumble. They saw a confident leader pausing for effect, grounding herself before continuing seamlessly.
That’s the power of the pause—it doesn’t just help you regain focus; it also conveys calm and control to those around you.
The Choice to Pause
That moment on stage taught me that the pause isn’t just a moment of silence; it’s a moment of power. It’s the space where clarity, strength, and confidence live.
As leaders, we all face moments when things go blank—when the next step feels unclear, or the pressure is overwhelming. The question is: how will you respond?
Will you let fear take over? Or will you pause, breathe, and trust yourself enough to stand in your power?
The next time life throws you off course, remember: you always have a choice. And sometimes, the most powerful choice you can make is to pause.