Mastering self-management in leadership: the ability to regulate one’s emotions and actions can make the difference between success and failure

By Terry Mante

Corporate leadership requires more than strategic thinking and decision-making skills. It demands a high level of personal discipline and the ability to manage oneself effectively in high-pressure environments.

Self-management is the practice of controlling one’s emotions, behaviors, and priorities in a way that aligns with both personal values and organizational goals. For corporate leaders, mastering self-management is essential for maintaining focus, inspiring teams, and achieving sustainable success.

Research by Boyatzis et al. (2013) highlights that self-management competencies, such as emotional self-regulation and adaptability, significantly impact a leader’s ability to navigate challenges and sustain long-term performance.

These competencies are especially crucial in Ghana, where corporate leaders operate in a fast-growing yet unpredictable economic landscape. With high-stakes decision-making and the pressure to deliver results, the ability to regulate one’s emotions and actions can make the difference between success and failure.

What is self-management?

Self-management refers to the ability to regulate one’s own actions, emotions, and mindset in a way that enables productive and effective performance. It involves discipline, time management, stress management, and emotional control. While many leadership traits focus on how leaders interact with others, self-management emphasizes how leaders manage themselves to be more effective.

Corporate leaders often face numerous challenges, including tight deadlines, high expectations, and constant decision-making demands. Without self-management, these challenges can easily lead to burnout, poor decision-making, and strained relationships with colleagues. Leaders who master self-management, however, stay balanced, focused, and resilient even in the face of adversity.

Why self-management is essential for corporate leaders

1. Enhances productivity and efficiency

Imagine a CEO, Susan, who runs a growing tech company. Every day, she is flooded with emails, back-to-back meetings, and urgent issues from various departments. Without self-management, she could easily spend her time putting out fires, losing sight of long-term strategic goals.

To combat this, Susan sets aside the first hour of her day for high-priority tasks that align with the company’s growth strategy. She delegates operational issues to her managers and blocks out time for focused work. As a result, Susan remains productive, ensuring that the company moves forward without getting derailed by daily distractions.

1. Elevates emotional control

Mark, a senior executive at a manufacturing company, is in a tense negotiation with a key supplier. The supplier refuses to lower costs, and Mark can feel his frustration building. Instead of reacting emotionally, Mark practices emotional regulation by taking a deep breath and reminding himself to stay calm.

He listens carefully to the supplier’s concerns, acknowledges their position, and then calmly presents a compromise. By controlling his emotions, Mark avoids escalating the conflict and successfully negotiates a deal that benefits both parties.

1. Enables self-discipline

Rachel, the head of marketing for a multinational firm, is working on a major product launch. While preparing for the launch, she’s invited to several high-profile industry events. Although these events are tempting and could boost her visibility, Rachel remains disciplined.

She focuses on perfecting the product’s marketing strategy, only attending events that align with her immediate goals. Her self-discipline ensures that the product launch is a success, generating significant revenue and positioning her company as a market leader.

1. Enriches decision-making

During an economic downturn, James, the CFO of a retail chain, is pressured to lay off staff to cut costs. While some of his peers push for immediate action, James takes time to evaluate the situation. He reviews the company’s financials, considers alternative cost-saving measures, and consults key stakeholders. After careful deliberation, James recommends a temporary hiring freeze and restructuring of operational expenses, avoiding layoffs. His thoughtful decision-making helps the company maintain morale and weather the economic crisis.

1. Eliminates burnout and promotes well-being

Sandra, the founder of a successful startup, works long hours to ensure her company’s growth. After months of constant work, she begins to feel drained and struggles to make clear decisions. Recognizing the signs of burnout, Sandra sets strict work-life boundaries. She starts exercising regularly, takes weekends off to recharge, and delegates more tasks to her team. By managing her well-being, Sandra regains her energy and creativity, allowing her to lead the company through a crucial expansion phase.

1. Encourages adaptability and resilience

During the COVID-19 pandemic, David, the COO of a hospitality business, faced a severe decline in bookings. Instead of panicking, he used self-management skills to stay composed and pivot the business model. David introduced virtual experiences and wellness packages that customers could access from home. His adaptability not only kept the business afloat but also opened new revenue streams that continued even after the pandemic ended. By staying resilient, David guided his company through one of its toughest periods.

How corporate leaders can master self-management

1. Prioritize your goals: Successful leaders set clear, specific goals for themselves and their teams. Prioritizing tasks according to these goals helps leaders stay focused on the most important outcomes.
2. Plan your use of time: Time is one of the most valuable resources for leaders. Using tools such as calendars, task management apps, and to-do lists can help leaders organize their time and avoid distractions.
3. Practice emotional regulation: Leaders should develop techniques to manage their emotions, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or taking breaks when necessary. Emotional regulation helps leaders stay calm and composed under pressure.
4. Pass authority and empower teams: Self-management also involves recognizing that you don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegating tasks to capable team members allows leaders to focus on strategic priorities while empowering their teams.
5. Promote healthy routines: Leaders should establish routines that promote well-being, such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, and time for reflection. These habits not only enhance physical health but also improve mental clarity and resilience.
6. Pursue feedback and reflect: Regular feedback from peers, mentors, and team members can help leaders identify areas for improvement. Self-reflection, including journaling or meditation, also provides leaders with insight into their behavior, performance, and decision-making patterns.

In the corporate world, leadership extends beyond strategy, vision, and decision-making. Mastering self-management is critical for sustained effectiveness. Leaders who can manage their emotions, time, energy, and stress are better equipped to lead by example, make thoughtful decisions, and maintain high levels of performance, even in challenging situations. By cultivating self-discipline, emotional control, and resilience, corporate leaders not only enhance their own productivity but also inspire their teams to thrive in today’s competitive environment.

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About the author

Terry Mante is a thought leader whose expression as an author, corporate trainer, management consultant, and speaker provides challenge and inspiration to add value to organizations and position individuals to function effectively. He is the Principal Consultant of Terry Mante Exchange (TMX). Connect with him on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads and TikTok @terrymante and www.terrymante.org.

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