Remember that famous Will Smith’s moment at the Oscars?
In that split second, Will Smith’s brain flooded with adrenaline and emotion.
And we have all been there… yes you have.
🧨 Road rage or shopping rage
🧨 Crushed a teammates confidence with a snide comment
🧨 Shouted at your kids and felt really shitty afterwards
That was a powerful example of what behavioural science calls the Amygdala Hijack — when our emotional brain takes over and hijacks the part of our brain linked to logical, rational thinking, self-control, reasoning … in moments of intense stress, threat, loss of control and pressure.
I remember watching a brilliant leader nearly derail a team meeting in under 60 seconds.The trigger?
🧨A single slide in a presentation that didn't align with her vision.
Her tone shifted.Her body language closed off.
She interrupted. Dismissed ideas.
And you could feel the energy in the room shift — fast.
Later, she admitted: "I don't know what came over me. I just snapped."An Amygdala Hijack, it’s only human!
We react before we reflect.
But leaders don’t always get a second time to prove themselves.
How long will it take to build trust if ever?
It’s a vivid reminder that: No matter how accomplished or composed we are, we’re all wired to react emotionally under pressure. It’s how we evolved to Fight, Fright or Flee.
Will Smith chose to Fight obviously.
🔹 Recognize that emotional hijacks happen — to you and your team.
🔹 Focus on regular pause and reflection, between stimulus and response.
🔹 Take time to tap into feelings before going head first into the meeting.
🔹 Breathe when your brain says Fight or Flee
Because leadership isn’t about being perfect under pressure — it’s about learning to manage our humanity, how our brain operates to respond, and that self-awareness and control are just as important as strategy and vision.
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