When pressure rises, some leaders don’t freeze — they intensify.
They move faster.
They raise standards.
They take control.
If your quiz result revealed that you become a Demanding Leader, it means you’re driven, committed, and deeply invested in outcomes. These are strengths — but under pressure, they can become heavy for you and for others.
The goal isn’t to soften your standards.
It’s to channel your intensity through emotional intelligence.
What It Means to Be a Demanding Leader Under Pressure
Demanding Leaders tend to:
- push themselves harder than anyone else
- expect others to keep up
- take control when things feel uncertain
- communicate with urgency
- prioritise results over relationships
You get things done — but sometimes at the cost of psychological safety.
Your intensity isn’t the problem.
Your relationship with it is.
How to Grow as a Demanding Leader
- Slow Down Your First Reaction
Your instinct is speed — but speed can create unnecessary tension.
In a real moment:
When someone brings you bad news, pause before responding.
Take one breath.
Then ask:
“What’s the real issue here?”
This single pause changes the entire tone.
- Separate Urgency From Importance
Under pressure, everything can feel urgent.
Try this filter:
- Urgent + important → act
- Important + not urgent → plan
- Urgent + not important → delegate
- Neither → delete
This reduces overwhelm for everyone.
- Pair High Standards With High Support
Your expectations are high — that’s good.
But people need to feel safe while meeting them.
Try this sentence:
“Here’s what great looks like — and here’s how I’ll help you get there.”
This blends clarity with care.
- Notice When You Start Doing Everything Yourself
Demanding Leaders often take over when stressed.
This leads to burnout and disempowered teams.
Try this:
Before stepping in, ask:
“What’s the smallest piece of this I can delegate?”
Delegation builds capacity — not chaos.
Final Thought
You don’t need to lose your drive.
You just need to lead it — instead of letting it lead you.
Reflective question:
Where did your standards become pressure — for you or for others — this month?
Your drive is powerful — and when it’s paired with emotional intelligence, it becomes transformational. If you want to keep your standards high without burning yourself or others out, join the early reader waitlist for my upcoming book, Healthy Leader, Toxic Leader. You’ll receive early chapters and a guided journal to help you lead with clarity, not pressure.
Click Here to Join the Early Reader Waitlist
