Deliberate Calm by Jacqueline Brassey & Aaron De Smet & Michiel Kruyt Summary

Deliberate Calm teaches leaders to navigate volatility by balancing emotional regulation with rational decision-making. It introduces the "adaptability paradox" – the tendency to default to familiar behaviors during crises – and offers tools like Dual Awareness (observing internal/external states simultaneously) and a four-pillar model (awareness, purpose, relationships, energy) to foster resilience. The book blends neuroscience, psychology, and leadership strategies for thriving in uncertain environments.

This book targets executives, managers, and professionals navigating rapid change (e.g., AI disruptions, market volatility). It’s equally valuable for individuals seeking emotional self-mastery in high-stress roles. Therapists and coaches will find its frameworks useful for client work. Brassey’s approach suits those tired of superficial productivity hacks and seeking deeper cognitive-behavioral shifts.

Yes – it provides actionable tools like the Daily Grounding Practice and Adaptive Zone Model, backed by 50+ years of combined leadership research. Unlike generic self-help books, it addresses the neuroscience of stress responses during organizational upheavals. Real-world examples, like the Jeff2 case study, demonstrate how to reframe crises as learning opportunities.

The adaptability paradox describes how individuals cling to outdated behaviors during critical moments of change, despite knowing better. Brassey explains this occurs because stress activates the amygdala’s fight-or-flight response, overriding the prefrontal cortex’s problem-solving abilities. Overcoming it requires Dual Awareness to recognize emotional triggers while objectively assessing external challenges.

Dual Awareness is the practice of simultaneously monitoring internal states (emotions, physical sensations) and external circumstances without judgment. It’s compared to “viewing oneself through a skylight” – maintaining enough detachment to choose responses aligned with goals. The book provides exercises like body scans and reflective journaling to develop this skill.

1. Awareness: Identifying emotional/physiological stress signals
2. Purpose: Aligning actions with core values during crises
3. Relationships: Leveraging conflicts as learning opportunities
4. Energy: Managing physical/mental resources to avoid burnout

These pillars help leaders design daily habits that sustain adaptability.

Jeff2 illustrates applying Deliberate Calm during financial turbulence. Instead of defaulting to layoffs, he uses a body scan technique to reduce cortisol spikes, then collaboratively explores cost-saving innovations with his team. This contrasts with Jeff1 (non-practitioner), whose fear-driven cuts harm morale. The case shows how emotional regulation enables creative problem-solving.

• “Consciously design your life to remain grounded amid chaos”: Emphasizes proactive habit-building over reactive coping.
• “Conflict, handled well, becomes a catalyst for growth”: Reframes disagreements as opportunities to challenge fixed mindsets.

Some may find concepts like Dual Awareness abstract without immediate workplace application. The book assumes organizational support for self-care practices, which may not exist in toxic cultures. It’s best paired with tactical change-management guides like Kotter’s Accelerate for holistic implementation.

Unlike Atomic Habits (focus: routine-building) or Extreme Ownership (military-style accountability), Deliberate Calm uniquely merges neuroplasticity research with real-time emotional regulation. Its emphasis on proactive resilience (vs. reactive grit) makes it particularly relevant for industries facing AI-driven disruption.

Absolutely. The Adaptive Zone Model helps identify when to persist vs. pivot during job changes. Techniques like “purpose anchoring” (revisiting core motivations) reduce anxiety when navigating unfamiliar roles. Brassey also advises reframing impostor syndrome as proof of growth.

With AI accelerating workplace volatility (60% of 2023 jobs expected to transform by 2030 per McKinsey), the book’s focus on sustaining cognitive flexibility is critical. Updated examples in post-2023 editions address hybrid work challenges and generative AI’s impact on decision-making latency.

While not using traditional characters, Brassey contrasts:

• Reactive Leaders: Overwhelmed by emotions, default to short-term fixes
• Deliberate Practitioners: Use metacognition to align actions with long-term vision

The Jeff2 case study exemplifies transitioning from reactive to deliberate states.