Leadership Under Pressure: How to Build Perseverance

As an Independent Artist, Business Expert and Small Business Owner, I know the ups and downs of leadership from personal experience. However, my role as consultant and host of the Flash Talk interview series, listening between the lines, has provided me with a unique perspective: In countless conversations with CEOs, global artists, top athletes, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers, I am consistently able to look behind the facade, to where true leadership is born.

And in doing so, I have recognized one central truth:
Even the best leaders have moments when they consider giving up.

Leadership is Not a State. It’s a Continuous Process.

From the outside, top leaders often appear unshakable: strategically brilliant, self-confident, clear in their vision. However, in personal conversations, other facets emerge like doubt, overwhelm, the struggle with their own role.

I remember speaking to a CEO of a fast-growing tech company who had scaled his business to multiple continents. From the outside, it looked like a dream life. But in private, he admitted to nights of endless anxiety, wondering if he would collapse under the sheer weight of responsibility.

“I’d lie awake, thinking, what if one wrong decision ruins everything I’ve built? The pressure was suffocating, but I couldn’t show it.”

Nearly all of the top leaders I’ve spoken with have gone through similar phases. The triggers?
The constant pressure. The weight of responsibility. Financial struggles. Overwhelming dimensions. Sudden public presence and spotlight. And, over and over again, the existential question:
“Why am I doing this to myself?”

Even world-class athletes I interviewed shared moments of deep vulnerability. One Olympic medalist described feeling the crushing weight of expectation during the final stretch of preparation.

“I considered quitting more than once. I was exhausted, physically and mentally. But I created a ritual, a small moment just for myself, that kept me going.”

The Power of Crises: Turning Points That Change Everything

What impressed me the most: Many described these low points as critical turning points in their careers.

A globally recognized musician shared that after a string of canceled shows, financial uncertainty, and creative burnout, he felt completely defeated.

“I had nothing left, and yet, it was in that emptiness I found what music meant to me again. That clarity became the fuel for the next chapter of my career.”

It was precisely these moments of vulnerability that became catalysts for growth, for a deeper connection to their core beliefs, and for a renewed clarity of their overarching vision. Some even considered these phases indispensable for personal development.

The strength lies in acknowledging defeat as a moment of deep reflection and true transformation.
An opportunity to question old patterns and draw new strength for the next phase.

What I Took Away from All These Conversations

Leadership does not show in the absence of crises, but in how we handle them.

True Greatness Shows in Moving Forward.

Failure is not a stigma. It is part of the journey. We all know that. But HOW to handle it?

5 Leadership Tips to Build Perseverance

1. Reconnect with Your “Why”
When the storm hits, return to your core mission. Leaders who endure have a crystal-clear answer to why they do what they do.

“When I remembered why I started, everything became easier. Over and over again I try to recall how I felt back than. That feeling motivates me to this day.” – Musician

2. Shift from Perfection to Progress
Instead of obsessing over flawless execution, focus on consistent steps forward. Momentum is a far stronger ally than perfection.

“I had to remind myself: done is better than perfect. Every small step counts.” – CEO

3. Use Setbacks as Strategy Fuel
Every crisis contains data. Ask yourself: What is this challenge teaching me about my leadership, my team, or my vision? Use the answer to sharpen your next move.

“Every failure became my blueprint. I learned faster because I failed.” – Athlete

4. Surround Yourself with Sparring Partners
Isolation kills perseverance. Great leaders build a circle of people who challenge them, encourage them, and hold them accountable when they feel like giving up.

“I realized that I couldn't do it alone. However, I didn't have anyone in my social circle who I could talk to about it. That's why I decided to set up an advisory board. It was the best decision I ever made. My advisors pushed me when I was ready to quit. That made all the difference.” – Entrepreneur

5. Practice Micro-Recovery
Perseverance is not mental toughness, it’s energy management. Leaders who last know when to step back, recharge, and return with renewed force.

“Even 15 minutes of reflection or walking outside could reset my energy for hours of work ahead.” – Creative Director

How the Alter Ego Method Strengthens Perseverance

One of the most underrated tools I’ve seen leaders use successfully is the alter ego method. Creating a powerful persona that embodies strength when your inner self feels fragile.

1. Psychological Distance
By stepping into a crafted alter ego, leaders create emotional space from fear and self-doubt. This allows them to act boldly, even when their “other self” hesitates.

2. Activation of Inner Strengths
Your alter ego can represent the most resilient version of yourself: unshakable, focused, and relentless. When you “switch on” this version, perseverance follows naturally.

3. Consistency Under Pressure
Leaders often face high-stakes moments where showing weakness isn’t an option. An alter ego acts as armor, enabling consistency and presence even when the pressure feels unbearable.