6. Pressure changes how people think and make decisions

A footballer misses the penalty that would have won the championship. A tennis player double faults when serving for the match. A leader makes poor decisions during a crisis.

Their skills haven’t disappeared. Rather, pressure changes how people think.

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Some people become more cautious. Others become more impulsive, or aggressive. Some stop listening to alternative views. Others cling to a failing plan because changing course would mean admitting they were wrong.

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We've seen these behaviours repeatedly in business simulations. As the pressure increases, the way people approach decisions often changes.