I have been fortunate to be a member of the Kaizen Motorsports & Formula Experiences where I frequently drive at the Virginia International Raceway. For several years, I have immersed myself in track driving, making wonderful new friends and providing me insight into the mindset, resilience, and pressures inherent in such a sport, one that mirrors specific situations and challenges in leadership.​​  A particular pleasure for me has been to encourage the role of women and minorities in racing--and to be instructed by them!

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One similarity is a psychological phenomenon that’s well-recognized in high-performance environments known as the “Challenge Response”—an adaptive reaction to stress where pressure fuels focus, confidence, and even joy, rather than
fear or panic.​ 

 

When you're on a racetrack, you learn to navigate pressure in a way that helps you excel. It’s understandable that if you’re not emotionally prepared to handle competitive stress, you might find yourself reacting in ways that aren’t helpful—like veering off course, feeling frustrated, or not performing at your best. These challenges are not confined to racing; they also resonate in executive situations, where managing stress is vital for success. It's important to recognize these feelings and know that with the right support and mindset, you can thrive even in the most intense moments.​ You too can learn to thrive on challenge and summon positive emotions to carry out a winning strategy.