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Staying Calm Under Pressure
How High Performers Use The Chimp Model
Read Time: ~5 minutes
Have you ever wondered how elite athletes manage to stay cool under the immense pressure of competing on the world stage? Imagine if you could harness that same level of composure in the high-stakes arena of business leadership.
In this article on handling pressure in leadership, we explore how the principles of The Chimp Model, created by Professor Steve Peters, can be adapted to enhance your leadership and stress management skills.
From Author
In my work with leaders and high performers, I’ve seen how easy it is to get swept up by pressure — and how powerful it can be when we learn to manage our minds differently. The Chimp Model gives us a way to stay calm, clear, and in control — not by ignoring emotions, but by understanding them. That’s when leadership becomes sustainable.
What Business Leaders Can Learn from Elite Athletes
In the world of business, leaders often face pressures that mirror those of professional athletes: tight deadlines, high expectations, financial stakes, and the need for effective teamwork in high-pressure situations.
But when stress is unmanaged, it can lead to poor decisions, reduced productivity, and even a toxic work environment. According to recent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data, in 2023–24 an estimated 776,000 UK workers experienced work-related stress, depression, or anxiety, resulting in 16.4 million working days lost.
Consider a CEO navigating a high-stakes merger. If unmanaged, their internal stress can cloud decision‑making and impact their ability to lead effectively — with ripple effects across the entire organisation.
Understanding The Chimp Model: A Practical Framework
The Chimp Model offers a simple yet profound framework to help leaders manage psychological pressure. It explains that the mind is structured with different systems that can be in conflict — most notably between the Chimp and the Human. The Chimp is an emotional thinking machine that acts with speed and drives feelings, behaviors, and beliefs. The Human is a logical and rational thinking machine that works with facts and reasoning.
Both are part of us and both can think, feel, and act — but they often interpret situations differently. Understanding how these systems work helps us manage our minds more effectively.
The key to leadership under pressure is managing the Chimp — the part of the brain that reacts quickly and emotionally to stress or threat.
Here’s a simplified, actionable plan based on the Chimp Model:
Step 1: Recognise the Chimp
Learn to notice when your Chimp is taking over. This emotional hijack is often the cause of impulsive reactions or internal panic.
Step 2: Exercise the Chimp
Allow time for emotional expression in a safe, controlled environment — ideally with someone who listens without judgment.
Step 3: Reprogramme the Computer
Continuously update your brain’s ‘Computer’ (automatic beliefs and responses) with constructive, rational alternatives that can override emotional defaults when needed.
Real-World Application: A CEO’s Turning Point
I once worked with the CEO of a tech start-up who was under huge pressure ahead of a major product launch. Her stress levels were climbing, and she was finding it hard to think clearly.
By learning how to recognise when her Chimp was trying to take control — and why — she was able to manage it effectively. As her emotional awareness and self-management improved, so did her ability to lead. The results were clear: better focus, stronger team morale, and a more successful launch.
Common Misconceptions About Emotional Management
One common misconception is that emotional management means suppressing feelings. That’s not the case.
The Chimp Model encourages us to understand and work with our emotions, rather than against them. We often say: be Human-led and Chimp-friendly. It’s not about shutting down the Chimp — it’s about guiding it.
Another concern is that these strategies take too much time in fast-paced business environments. But the truth is, the time invested in mental resilience and self-awareness pays off in better long-term performance and healthier teams.
Final Thoughts: Building Sustainable Leadership Under Pressure
Adopting the Chimp Model isn’t about becoming emotionless — it’s about gaining the tools to manage emotion constructively. By learning from elite athletes, business leaders can develop a performance mindset that supports both their personal resilience and the health of their teams.
Remember: managing your inner Chimp isn’t a one-time task. It’s an ongoing journey. But it’s one that can transform how you lead under pressure — and how your organisation thrives because of it.
Want to take this further?
Explore how our Executive Mentoring can support your personal leadership growth. Or take a closer look at our Short Courses with Professor Steve Peters — designed to help you build the mind management skills that underpin high performance.
Author: Dean Coomer, Psychological Skills Mentor
About the Author:
Dean Coomer is known for his personable, professional, and adaptable approach, Dean has successfully supported a wide range of clients from CEOs and senior leadership teams to NHS consultants, elite athletes, and military units.
