There are many theories about what makes a great leader. Some say it’s charisma – the ability to fill a room with energy and draw people in. Others emphasize technical skills, organizational ability, or the power to make quick decisions. But the longer I’ve lived and worked, the clearer another truth has become: the most valuable trait in a leader is stability.
And stability is not something you can buy, learn in a quick course, or borrow from someone else. It must be earned – through life experience, trials, and years of navigating real situations.
A Testimony from Real Life
After a major event in Bansko this summer, I received a message that put words to something I had often thought but rarely articulated. A colleague who worked alongside me wrote:
“I’ve been part of many events and I’ve never seen anything like that before… I don’t know what I’m talking about for Chris, because it was Chris’s way of managing things that put all these comments in the stage.”
The words struck me. Not because they flattered me – though of course that was nice – but because they reminded me of one thing: my strength as a leader does not come from shouting the loudest or having the most ideas. It comes from my calm.
I’ve heard the same echoed in other situations. Months later, I received another voice note from the same colleague, now working on a different event:
“I am taking a page from your book. People here are working in panic, but I try to remain very calm. Unless there is a problem, I don’t really do anything. And the event is rolling. Everybody is happy.”
This was no longer about describing me. This was a person applying what they had seen in me to their own practice. And perhaps that’s the heart of it: leadership built on experience doesn’t just create results in the moment – it becomes a model for others to carry forward.
Youth’s Hunger Versus Experience’s Calm
I too have been young and hungry. I know what it feels like to want to prove yourself, to deliver before anyone asks, to overperform. That hunger can be a force – but also destructive.
When you’re 25 or 30, it can feel like every assignment is a test: prove you’re good enough, prove you can handle the pressure, prove you’re worth the next opportunity. The result is often stress, panic, and the urge to control every detail.
With age, the perspective shifts. You realize panic never solves a problem. That control rarely creates creativity. That people perform best when they feel trusted, not micromanaged.
The same colleague reflected honestly in one of their messages:
“I wonder if it’s as efficient, you know, having this mindset when you’re 30 years old and you need proof of concept, and when you have already lived your life and you are already successful.”
It’s a valid reflection. And for me, the answer is clear: no, it’s hard to be stable when you’re just starting out. It is only after you’ve gone through crises of your own, fallen and risen, seen patterns repeat, that you can truly rest in a deeper confidence. Experience creates stable leaders.
What Does Stability in Leadership Mean?
Stability is not about being passive or indifferent. It is the ability to stand firm in the storm and hold the course, even when everything around you shakes. Some hallmarks:
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Calm under pressure. When everyone else is running, the experienced leader can pause, analyze, and choose the right path.
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Trust-based leadership. Instead of micromanaging, you let people take responsibility. This builds engagement and ownership.
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Helicopter perspective. You don’t get lost in details, but see the whole. Like a conductor who sees the orchestra, not just a single violinist.
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Emotional intelligence. Experience teaches you to read people, understand group dynamics, and sense when to step in – and when to let go.
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A consistent philosophy. You don’t lead on adrenaline, but through a clear life approach.
From Chaos to Orchestra
When I stand in a chaotic situation, I remind myself of a metaphor that often comes up: maestro. I’m not there to play every instrument. I’m there to hold the music together.
This doesn’t mean I do less – quite the opposite. It takes tremendous energy to carry calm. To trust the process even when someone makes a mistake. To know that most problems can be solved without panic.
And that is why experience matters. You cannot fake calm. You cannot pretend to be steady. People see through it instantly. It’s only when you’ve been tested yourself – in work, in life, in relationships – that you can truly stand with a steady hand.
Leadership That Spreads
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of stable leadership is that it spreads. When one person in a group chooses calm, it becomes contagious. When a leader gives responsibility instead of taking over, others feel empowered.
One colleague captured this effect perfectly:
“It was the least tiring event. And this has to do with exactly how we managed everything. But it’s the maestro that is giving the direction, and all of us could be patient and calm because of that.”
That something so intense could feel less exhausting – that’s the effect of stability. Calm extends endurance. Trust frees energy.
What Can Young Leaders Learn From This?
It’s easy to think that experience only comes with age, but there are ways younger leaders can start cultivating stability sooner:
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Seek mentors. Shadowing experienced leaders helps internalize their calm faster.
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Practice pausing. Not every decision must be made in panic. Learn to stop and breathe before acting.
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Focus on people, not just tasks. It’s group dynamics that determine outcomes, not just checklists.
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Accept mistakes. Experience teaches that mistakes are not the end – they are part of the process.
Experience as a Resource in Work Life
Sadly, we live in a time where age is often seen as a burden in the job market. Companies chase “young, hungry talent” and sometimes overlook the enormous resource that experienced leaders represent.
But the stories from my colleagues reveal another truth: it is experience that makes leadership sustainable. A 25-year-old might burn brightly, but a 60-year-old can keep the fire alive for the long run.
In a world defined by constant change, crises, and rapid shifts, it may be more important than ever that leaders are not only driven by speed, but by balance.
My Own Philosophy
For me, leadership is not a title – it’s a way of life. I am the same person on stage as behind the scenes. I don’t need to prove myself by taking all the spotlight – I know my value lies in holding the structure, creating calm, and letting others shine.
As one colleague once put it:
“You are the maestro giving the direction, and all of us could be patient and calm because of you.”
That is exactly where I want to be. Not at the center of the applause, but as the one who makes it possible for others to step into the light.
Conclusion
Experience creates stable leaders. Not because they know everything, but because they know enough not to panic. Not because they control every detail, but because they dare to trust people.
In a time when the world demands quick fixes, I believe in the leadership that lasts. The kind that not only delivers results, but also creates ripples – where people feel calmer, safer, and stronger themselves.
And perhaps that is the greatest gift of experience: that what we have learned doesn’t just shape us, but also shapes the people we meet.
By Chris...
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