My Review of "Performing Under Pressure"

Weisinger and Pawliw-Fry's Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most answers an age-old question: "How can I do my best when it matters most?"

Stress, of course, depletes our ability to do well. And when the stresses become overwhelming, it's not new news that we perform well below our ability. It's also not new news that our culture is under considerable (and increasing?) stresses. So Weisinger and Pawliw-Fry wrote this book in order to share what they have learned about how almost anyone can do their best when it matters most.

As we know from experience, stress can come from anywhere. Some of it is good, others of it is bad. And it's significant to judge what stresses are important and what ones are unimportant. But once you've made those distinctions, Weisinger and Pawliw-Fry provide a strong scientific basis on which to build strong performances under pressure. The first section explores an understanding of the nature and science of pressure. The second section suggests a number of ways by which to avoid or diminish severe, self-defeating pressure with regulation, redirection, and release of flow. And the final section offers what they call their COTE concept (i.e. Confidence, Enthusiasm, Optimism, and Tenacity) and explain how to build and then preserve a "COTE of Armor," one that consists of internal pressure management techniques, skills, tools, and other resources.

The bottom line of all their research? Either control the pressure or the pressure controls you.

This is a great book for leadership studies. Anyone who's concerned about their own leadership at work should pick up a copy.

I received a free copy of this book as part of the Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest review here.

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