Not just about quiet moments—a question of peace and perspective.
There’s a certain je ne sais quoi that keeps me calm when I am sitting in a busy airport terminal watching baggage being loaded and unloaded in the airport apron. In those moments, I can only hear the sounds from the apron—not the sounds around me—the interactions and movements of fellow passengers in the terminal.
Having been in international development for over a decade, leading projects across countries and continents, one thing always runs through: calm days on a project are either few or short-lived. The same can be said about life in general—most days do not go as planned, with chaos showing up here and there. Therefore, if one does not learn to find peace or to be calm in the midst of chaos, they can constantly be in panic mode, stressed, worried, and overwhelmed.
I have found that panicking and worrying contribute little to nothing to solving a chaos, issue, or problem I face. Whereas remaining calm contributes a lot. When I remain calm, I remember that every problem has a solution yet to be found. I remember that I have specialists within my network, team, and organisation who I should consult in finding the solution or in making a decision. I remember that there’s a risk and issue management plan that I should consult. I remember that my focus should be on finding the solution and not who triggered the issue, among others.
So, when I have the opportunity to train myself to find calmness, I take it. Like getting lost in watching the activities taking place in the airport apron and not seeing the activities in the terminal. Like having an artwork hanging in my work area to remind me that there can be peace in the midst of chaos. Like listening to music with headphones. Like saying a word of prayer. Like telling myself, “peace, be still.” (Ref: Mark 4:35–41)
Remaining calm greatly helps me to resolve life problems and the issues that come up in the work that I lead.
Here’s the real question:
Are we modelling calmness when chaos shows up—or are we letting panic dictate our decisions? Are we creating spaces where teams can pause and find perspective—or expecting them to operate under constant pressure? And as leaders, are we stewarding influence in a way that reminds others that peace is possible—even in the busiest seasons?
Call to Action:
Take a moment today. Identify one practice that helps you stay calm in chaos—and commit to using it when the next challenge comes. Share it with your team. Because leadership isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about modelling peace in the process.