“The key to staying unintimidated is to realise that the person you’re facing is a mere mortal, no different from you. See the person, not the myth.”

The 33 Strategies of War, Strategy 3, The Counterbalance Strategy

Presence of mind, the ability to remain calm and composed amidst chaos and uncertainty, is arguably the most crucial attribute for any competent strategist.

The reason is that when we lose composure, when our minds become infected by emotions, our strategies suffer greatly.

Our ideas become irrational and detached from reality.

Our decisions become erratic and shortsighted.

The people around us, those looking to us for guidance, seeing us in a state of turmoil, begin to worry, losing faith in our campaigns and in our ability to lead effectively.