Working in the tech industry, I often juggle client demands, complex deals, and team leadership, all under tight deadlines. Throughout the year, the Global Women in Tech Interest Group hosts webinars and sessions focused on themes and topics that affect women in our industry. One of these webinars was led by Jasmine Eskenski from The Zensory, and it reminded me that leading with calm is just as important as hitting targets.
The session focused on sustainable performance and wellbeing, offering practical strategies to stay resilient, focused and clear-headed under pressure. I could immediately see myself applying these in my role as a Sales Manager.
Sustainable performance
One of the biggest takeaways was the concept of a sustainable performer, someone who consistently delivers high impact without sacrificing clarity or calm of wellbeing.
In sales, the pressure to deliver results while managing complex client needs can be a lot. Techniques like box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4) and simple grounding practices, such as focusing on fingertip sensations, are simple, discreet ways to reset and regain focus during the day.
The power of awareness
Another equally important point raised was around the power of awareness, for both ourselves and those around us. Mental health thrives in environments where check-ins are normalised. Asking yourself a simple question like “How am I feeling today?” can have a powerful impact without you even realising.
Jasmine shared the RAIN approach (Recognise, Allow, Inquire, Nurture), showing how naming emotions helps the brain process feelings rather than suppress them. For sales leaders, this is critical, as understanding our own stress responses allows us to make clearer decisions, manage our teams better and meet high-pressure client situations with calm.
Practical habits that make a difference
Small, consistent habits have a compounding effect. Some of the main strategies Jasmine shared included:
- 60-second breathing resets between calls
- Micro-breaks every 20 minutes where you look away from the screen, stretch and reset posture
- Time-blocking for focused work with notifications silenced
- Micro moments of joy, like listening to music, walking outside or even daydreaming
Simple practices like these boost focus, energy and resilience and can help achieve more with less stress.
Leadership by example
As leaders, we have a responsibility to model balance and well-being. Normalising conversations about stress, asking our teams what’s draining or sustaining them and creating safe spaces for women to share challenges are crucial for driving cultural change.
For women in tech, who often juggle hybrid work, care responsibilities and the pressure to overperform, this is not just about personal wellbeing but rather a strategic advantage for our teams and organisations. By embedding practices into daily routines, we can cultivate clarity, focus, and resilience, which ultimately enhance our performance and outcomes for our clients.
Key takeaways
The webinar reinforced that leading with calm isn’t an optional soft skill; it’s essential for sustainable success, particularly in high-pressure roles.
My personal takeaways were:
- Consistency is key: practice techniques daily and not just in stressful moments.
- Embed wellbeing into routine: at the start and end of the day, between tasks and during micro-breaks.
- Lead by example: your calmness will set the tone for your team and drive better results.
The webinar gave me a sense of self-awareness, leaving me feeling grounded and inspired to make small changes. In our industry, where speed and challenges are constants, learning to lead with calm is essential. As women in leadership, leading with calm empowers us, our teams, and the wider community to perform at our best.
The Zensory is part of the KnowBe4 Human Risk Management platform in Brigantia’s portfolio. To find out more about The Zensory, head to our vendor page or get in touch to book a demo.
