During your Meta Moment, take the time to fully consider what is actually going on in the stressful situation. What egos are at play? Who’s intimidating whom? What are the agendas, both overt and hidden?

The objective here is to shield yourself from the barrage of stress long enough to tap into the deepest part of your self—the intuitive, compassionate, and inclusive part. By doing this, you avoid responding with a knee-jerk reaction.

Here’s how you can access a Meta Moment: 

1. Move. Change your body language. Leave the room, or walk to a different part of it. If you are sitting, get up out of your chair and move to a different one.
2. Ask yourself a question: “What would my ‘best self’ do or say now?” Wait for the answer. 

That’s all there is to it. Once you’ve taken your Meta Moment, say or do whatever your “best self”—the part of you that is not emotionally attached to the current situation—would say or do. 

If this sounds simple, it is. But it is also one of the most effective leadership techniques you can master. Practise using the Meta Moment everywhere, not just in the workplace. Try it with other members of your ecosystem as well.