We’re often told that great leaders are decisive, bold and action-oriented.
But what if the real superpower in leadership isn’t action — instead, it’s a Leadership Pause?! What if your ability to stop, reset and choose your response in a tense moment, matters more than your ability to speak fast, act tough or push through?

That might sound unusual in a world that celebrates speed. But sometimes, slowing down is exactly what allows us to show up as the leader we want to be.

What Serena Williams’ calm comeback taught me

One moment on a tennis court made this clearer to me than any leadership book ever has.

Let’s rewind to Wimbledon 2015. Serena Williams is on the court in a Grand Slam semi-final. She’s one of the most decorated tennis players in history. But on this day, things aren’t going her way. She’s down 3–0 in the final set.

Most of us, even the best of us, would panic. Tighten up. Get frustrated. Push harder, swing harder; and unravel.

But Serena? She paused.

She didn’t break down. She didn’t let the moment swallow her. She regrouped, right there, on the court. A breath. A shift in body language. A return to clarity.

And then?!!

She won six straight games…..and the match!!

That moment wasn’t just about tennis. It was about Emotional Control — the ability to stay present, stay grounded; and manage what’s going on inside, even when everything outside feels chaotic.

That’s what we call as a leadership pause.

What Does Leadership Pause Have to Do With Work?

You’re probably not holding a tennis racket at work. But the pressure? It’s real.

• A client suddenly flips the brief.
• A meeting turns confrontational.
• A team member lets something slip that stings.
• A promotion decision doesn’t go your way.

What happens next?

Many leaders react. Words come out fast. Shoulders tense. Emails get sent.
And later, they say, “That’s not how I wanted to show up.”

In these moments, EQ isn’t a concept. It’s a lifeline. Like Serena on the court, you have a choice: React impulsively or respond intentionally; after taking the leadership pause.

Leadership Pause – The Part of EQ That No One Talks About Enough

We often talk about emotional intelligence as empathy, listening or team communication. And yes  all of that matters.

But one of the most overlooked and most important parts of EQ is this –
Emotional Regulation, by taking the leadership pause; the ability to manage your internal emotional state before it manages you.

It’s not about suppressing how you feel. It’s about understanding your feelings in the moment; and choosing the version of you that serves the situation — not sabotages it.

It sounds simple. It’s not easy.

But it’s powerful!

So What Does This Look Like at Work?

Let’s bring it back to you. Picture a tough moment at work. The tension rises. Everyone’s watching how you’ll respond.

A low-EQ reaction might look like:

• Snapping in a meeting
• Sending a sharp email
• Checking out emotionally

But a high-EQ response? That might look like:

• A pause before you speak
• A breath before you hit “send”
• A simple, “Let me take a minute to think about that”

These tiny moves don’t just protect your energy — they build your credibility.
They show your team that you’re steady, self-aware and intentional.

And that’s what people remember in a leader!

This Matters Now, More Than Ever

We’re in a work world that’s moving faster than ever — hybrid teams, high expectations, low attention spans.
In all this, the leaders who stand out aren’t the ones who push the hardest.
They’re the ones who know when to pause, when to breathe and how to bring calm to the chaos.

That kind of leadership?
It’s learned.
It’s practiced.
And yes, it’s emotional intelligence in action.

Next time you’re in a high-pressure moment at work, ask yourself

What would it look like if I gave myself just 5 seconds before I react?

That one leadership pause might change the tone of a meeting.
It might save a conversation.
It might even shift how others see you as a leader.

Because leadership isn’t about never getting emotional.
It’s about learning how to lead yourself, before you lead others.

Just like Serena did. And just like you can too.

Swati Sinha, Leadership Coach, is conducting an Online Group Coaching program at InfinumGrowth about workplace communication titled Master Difficult Conversations at Work.

Click on the below picture to know more.

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