Karen Canham, Entrepreneur/Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Karen Ann Wellness
When leaders hit a wall, they usually turn to time management systems, productivity hacks, or new strategic frameworks. But in my years coaching executives and entrepreneurs, I’ve seen a deeper factor at play: their nervous system.
If your body is locked in “push mode,” no tool will save you. You might force short-term results, but at the cost of clarity, decision-making, and long-term performance. The truth is, your state drives your strategy. And until you learn to regulate your nervous system, leadership will always feel harder than it needs to be.
Here are three practical ways leaders can apply nervous system regulation to lead with more presence, resilience, and impact.
1. Map Your State Before You Engage
Every leader carries an unspoken “state” into the room. If you’re tense, defensive, or on overdrive, your team feels it before you say a word. That state sets the tone, intentionally or not.
Try this: Before walking into a meeting, take 60 seconds to check in. Ask yourself:
- What’s happening in my body? (tight shoulders, racing heart, shallow breath)
- What tone am I carrying? (hurried, sharp, calm, open)
- What thoughts are looping? (problem-solving, doubting, criticizing)
This quick scan gives you awareness. And with awareness comes choice. Instead of reacting, you step in with intention.
2. Identify the “Part” Running the Show
Under pressure, different parts of us show up: the Perfectionist demanding flawless work, the Critic shutting down ideas, or the Avoider sidestepping conflict. These aren’t flaws, they’re protective responses. But if left unchecked, they can sabotage leadership.
Try this: The next time you feel triggered, pause and ask: Which part of me is leading right now? Naming it creates distance, which allows you to choose a more effective response. Instead of the Critic, bring forward the Coach. Instead of the Avoider, lean into the Collaborator.
3. Anchor Yourself in the Present
Leaders spend much of their energy in the past (“That should have gone better”) or in the future (“What if this fails?”). Both pull you away from the only place leadership happens: right now.
Try this: Choose one neutral or positive cue in your environment. Notice the weight of your chair, the sound of your breath, or the warmth of your coffee. Spend 10 seconds letting your body register it.
This small reset signals to your nervous system that you’re safe in the present moment. From that steadier state, you make clearer decisions and communicate with authority.
The Key Takeaway
Leadership isn’t just about what you do, it’s about the state you do it from. By mapping your state, naming the part that’s leading, and practicing simple anchors, you shift from running on stress to leading from steadiness.
Because in the end, your nervous system isn’t just part of your leadership. It’s running it.
