Leading Like Paul Revere
I am reading the great book The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America by Kostya Kennedy right now. Kennedy quoted cognitive scientist Sian Beilock as saying “People choke under pressure because they worry.” This led off a discussion in the book as to why Paul Revere was so successful under the high stress of the ride of his life. This aligns well with the studying of George MacDonald I have been doing lately related to imagination and creativity. Revere had a vision of what was at stake and was able to channel that into decisive action rather than succumbing to pressure.
Sian Beilock’s observation about people choking under pressure highlights how anxiety and overthinking can impair performance, even in individuals who are otherwise skilled or knowledgeable. Revere’s success, and not choking under pressure, relied not only on his bravery but also on his ability to manage fear and stay focused despite the high stakes of his mission. Beilock taught us in, Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To, that this ability to manage fear and stay focused is an important leadership disposition. She said, “They [people who choke] worry about the situation, its consequences, and what others will think. They worry about what they will lose if they fail to succeed.” Revere did not do this.
In fact, Kennedy pointed to six of Beilock’s eight rules to not chocking that Revere followed. Here they are:
◊ Distract yourself (Revere clearly did, noting his surroundings and the atmosphere of the night)
◊ Don’t slow down (Revere: “I turned my horse very quick”)
◊ Practice under stress (as mentioned)
◊ Don’t dwell (Revere did not)
◊ Focus on the outcome, not the mechanics (Revere was bound for Lexington, no matter what obstacles he encountered)
◊ Focus on the positive (as the hale Revere did, resolutely)
Dr. Beilock suggests strategies to mitigate the negative effects of pressure, such as practice and preparation. When I started reading this book I was interested in the history of Paul Revere and the American Revolution, but have also received a leadership lesson on what made Revere successful under an incredible amount of stress and pressure.
Byron's Babbles 
[…] a view into the human – Paul Revere. I’ve already blogged once inspired by the book in Leading Like Paul Revere. Why was Revere a successful revolutionary leader? Kennedy wrote, “Revere liked talking to […]
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