The Fire Alarm You Can’t Hear—but Everyone Else Can
When a fire alarm sounds, we don’t think—we move. That’s its job: to signal danger so loudly and clearly that there’s no debate.
You already know this.
But here’s what most leaders miss:
You carry your own internal version of that alarm. And while it doesn’t make a sound, it drives your decisions—especially in pressure moments.
It shows up when:
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You cut someone off in a meeting without realising.
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You delay giving feedback because “it’s not the right time.”
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You leave a conversation thinking, “Why did I say that?”
The problem? Your internal alarm isn’t calibrated for leadership. It’s calibrated for safety.
And safety often comes at the cost of effectiveness, clarity, and trust.
What makes it worse is this:
You don’t hear it. But your team does.
They notice the hesitation, the tone shift, the defensiveness. They feel the tension—even if you don’t.
That’s the hidden cost of emotional reactivity. And it’s why emotional intelligence isn’t just helpful—it’s non-negotiable for leading today.
What to Do Next:
