The Power of Behavioural Self-Control in Business Leadership

Do you struggle navigating your emotions in high-pressure situations?  

In today's fast-paced and constantly changing business world, the ability to maintain composure and exercise Behavioural Self-Control is a valuable skill for any leader.  

The world-renowned CEO and businessman Howard Schultz best exemplified this skill.  

Howard Schultz was best known for his role in transforming Starbucks from a small, Seattle-based coffee shop into a global brand with thousands of locations worldwide. 

At a young age, he exercised Behavioural Self-Control by finishing his studies despite his impoverished financial state and the challenges he had to go through because of that.  

While in college, Schultz worked a variety of odd jobs to support himself, including selling kitchenware and working as a bartender. After graduation, he worked up the corporate ladder at Xerox and later at a Swedish coffee company called Hammarplast. 

In 1982, hejoined Starbucks as the director of marketing. He quickly became enamoured with the company's coffee culture and believed that it had the potential to be a national brand. Schultz proposed opening Starbucks stores outside of Seattle, but the company's owners were hesitant. Undeterred, he left Starbucks to start his own coffee company, Il Giornale.  

Il Giornale was successful, and Schultz eventually acquired Starbucks in 1987, becoming its CEO. Under his leadership, Starbucks grew from 11 stores to over 28,000 locations worldwide.  

One notable example of Schultz's Behavioural Self-Control came during the 2008 financial crisis. Many companies were forced to cut their workforce as the economy took a downturn drastically. He faced pressure from Starbucks investors to do the same. However, he believed that laying off employees would harm the company's culture and long-term success.  

Instead of cutting jobs, he took a pay cut and implemented cost-saving measures such as closing underperforming stores and renegotiating supplier contracts.  

He also launched the "Leadership Lab," an emotional intelligence and leadership training program designed to train Starbucks employees for future leadership positions within the company. In the long run, Schultz's decision to prioritise the well-being of his employees over short-term financial gain paid off. Starbucks emerged from the financial crisis stronger than ever, with its stock price reaching an all-time high in 2015. 

Howard Schultz's ability to make tough decisions while remaining true to his values and the company's culture demonstrates his Behavioural Self-Control. He didn't let short-term financial pressure dictate his actions; he instead stayed true to his values and prioritised the long-term success of the company and the well-being of his employees. 

Indeed, this story serves as a powerful example of how Behavioural Self-Control and emotional intelligence can lead to long-term success in business leadership.

Diving Deeper into Behavioural Self-Control 

So, what is Behavioural Self-Control? 

Behavioural Self-Control is the ability to manage your response to your emotions and impulses. It involves being able to control disruptive feelings and maintain composure and positivity so you can focus, even when faced with challenging situations. 

When you develop your Behavioural Self-Control, you will be able to: 

1. Make smarter decisions. When emotions are running high, it's easy to make impulsive choices that may not be in your best interest. By practising Behavioural Self-Control, you can take a step back and make more thoughtful, informed decisions. This is what Schultz was able to do. 
2. Have healthier relationships with others. When you are quick to anger or become defensive in response to challenges, it will strain your relationships with clients, colleagues, friends, and loved ones. By maintaining your composure and responding in a constructive way, you will build stronger, more positive relationships. 
3. Become the best version of yourself. When you are able to manage your response to your emotions and impulses, you are less likely to experience negative feelings such as anxiety and depression. You will feel more confident and in control of your life, which will lead to a greater sense of fulfilment and happiness. 

However, when you lack this competency, you are more likely to: 

• React impulsively. 
• Get involved in inappropriate situations because you can't resist the temptation. 
• Respond to problems in a non-constructive way. 

• Get angry quickly. 
• Be defensive.  
• Become angry, depressed or agitated when faced with conflicts and stress on the job (you may even think of quitting).  

People who do the things mentioned above have a bigger chance of making the wrong decisions and therefore, fail to achieve long-term success.  

Take the story of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. 

In 1984, Mulroney was delivering a speech in the House of Commons when he lost his temper and launched into a profanity-laden tirade against an opposition member who had been heckling him. His outburst was captured on video and widely broadcast, leading to public criticism and a decline in his popularity. 

The outburst was seen as unprofessional and unbecoming of a Prime Minister, and it undermined his credibility and authority in the eyes of the public. 

Mulroney later apologised for his outburst, but the incident continued to haunt him throughout his political career.  

His story serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining emotional and Behavioural Self-Control and composure, even in the face of provocation or criticism. 

As you can see, Behavioural Self-Control is a crucial skill that will help you navigate life's challenges in a more thoughtful and constructive way.  

So, how do you develop this crucial competency?

Developing Behavioural Self-Control  

Developing Behavioural Self-Control is not an overnight process, but with practice, you can learn to master it. Here are some development steps that can help you improve this crucial competency. 

Step 1: Develop Emotional Self-Awareness 

Do you know what your emotional triggers are? If you don't, then it's time for you to know what they are and understand them. You can identify them by reflecting on what situations cause you to react impulsively or emotionally. Identifying these triggers can help you anticipate and prepare for them. 

Step 2: Make a list of things that cause you to "lose it". 

Once you've identified your triggers, write them down. When you know what situations or people can trigger, your emotions can help you prepare mentally and emotionally for them. 

Step 3: Write out a strategy to deal with each of these issues the next time they arise.  

Once you have identified your triggers, developing a plan to deal with them is important. For example, suppose your trigger is a difficult conversation with a coworker. In that case, you might plan to take a deep breath before responding or take a break to gather your thoughts before continuing the conversation. 

Step 4: Remember, in the moment, to choose a more constructive response when future issues arise. 

When you are in the moment and your disruptive emotions are triggered, it can be challenging to stay composed and focused. However, try to remind yourself of your plan and choose a more constructive response. This could be taking a deep breath, counting to ten, or simply choosing to respond in a more measured way. 

Step 5: Watch your self-talk – tell yourself what it looks like to stay composed, focused and think clearly under pressure. 

The way you talk to yourself will have a big impact on your emotional behaviour. Be mindful of your self-talk and encourage yourself to stay composed, focused, and clear-minded under pressure. Visualise what this looks and feels like, and try to embody that image when you are in a difficult situation. 

Step 6: Invest in Social and Emotional Intelligence Training and Coaching 

Investing in developing all of the competencies of Social and Emotional Intelligence is vital for developing Behavioural Self-Control. This type of coaching focuses on building self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management skills. You will develop stronger Behavioural Self-Control and improve your overall well-being by learning to identify and regulate your emotional responses, manage stress, communicate effectively, and build stronger relationships. 

A certified Social and Emotional Intelligence coach and trainer can help you identify your strengths and areas for growth, set goals, and develop a personalised plan for building emotional intelligence and achieving your desired outcomes. By investing in Emotional Intelligence training and coaching, you can develop the skills you need to achieve greater success in your personal and professional life, build stronger relationships, and enhance your overall well-being.

DECIDE to become the BEST YOU 

Behavioural Self-Control is undoubtably a crucial competency of emotional intelligence that has a significant impact on both personal and professional life. Developing this competency takes time and effort, but it is worth it. 

By developing Behavioral Self-Control, you will enhance your communication, decision-making, and leadership skills, build positive relationships with others, and improve your overall well-being.  

So, what are you waiting for? Decide to become the best version of YOU! 

We Are Here to Help  

At   People Builders, we have a team of expert trainers and coaches who can help you and your team develop Emotional Intelligence, Behavioural Self-Control and many other competencies.   

Contact us today for a quick chat to see how we can partner with you to train and coach you and your team.    

If you want to become a certified trainer and coach in Social and Emotional Intelligence or Extended DISC Behavioural Profiling, find out how by visiting the People Builders Institute website.