I recall some of the hardest scenarios I’ve been involved in during my career—usually negotiating outcomes among conflicting parties.

These situations often feel so critical that one misstep could cause everything to collapse. Several years ago, I stepped into the role of chief negotiator for a global sporting event.

My role was to liaise with various parties to ensure the event was delivered on time and within budget. The stakes were always high, the pressure relentless, and each year, there was always a moment when everything reached a boiling point.

One time, neither party was willing to budge on their positions, and with the event just days away, it felt like everything was falling apart.

What do you do when it feels like nothing is working and everything is collapsing? You create space. I decided to take a break from the negotiations and retreat to the mountains to clear my mind and think through my next steps. As soon as I arrived, I began to breathe deeply and gradually relax my body and mind.

Creating mental space is crucial for retaining cognitive function. When adrenaline is high and pressure is mounting, it becomes challenging to access the deeper parts of your brain responsible for decision-making. The survival mechanism in our brain narrows our focus to get us out of immediate danger. The best way to disrupt this mechanism is to create space to release tension from your mind and body.

A single long outbreath, sitting quietly in the backyard, or a walk through nature can make a significant difference. Even the smallest step forward can create momentum. Under high pressure, it's about making micro-steps to maintain momentum.

Letting go of the outcome is another powerful tool. True power in negotiation comes from reaching a point of inner peace where you are okay with however things play out. From this place, you become unbeatable, as it's impossible to negotiate against someone who has reached such a state of calm and resolve.