By Kate Purmal, Lee Epting, Isaac Smith
The Izzy Way Book Review
I chose Composure to help me see how I can show up differently under pressure. Not how to get rid of stress or dodge challenging situations, but how to stay steady when emotions are high, expectations are heavy, or the stakes really matter. In fast-moving roles, it’s not always your knowledge that gets tested; it’s your reactions. This book helps you see these practices in action.
What I really appreciated is that Composure doesn’t treat calmness like something you’re born with, but a skill you can grow. The stories and examples help ground the learning and offer you ways you could use in your next tense meeting, not just in theory. Composure isn’t about shutting down your emotions. It’s about working with them. Being composed doesn’t mean you’re cold or detached — it means you choose your response instead of letting your first reaction take over. That slight difference changed how I think about leadership presence, especially during conflict or uncertainty.
One section that stuck with me discussed the space between something happening and our response. That tiny pause can completely change the outcome. It sounds simple, but it isn’t easy, and in self-reflection, I now realize how often I would rush to answer, explain, or defend when taking a breath would lead to a better conversation.
Another part that resonated was around self-awareness. Knowing what sets you off, whether it is urgency, criticism, or chaos, helps you prepare rather than get blindsided. That reframed composure for me. It’s less about “controlling yourself” and more about understanding yourself well enough not to get hijacked.
Since reading Composure, I’ve tried to become more deliberate in tense moments. I catch myself thinking: Am I reacting, or responding? What does this situation actually need from me? How do I want to be remembered after this conversation?
Those quick internal questions have already changed how I show up.
5 takeaways I’m actually using
- Pause before responding. A short breath can save you from saying something you wish you hadn’t.
- Composure is a skill. You really can build it with practice — it isn’t “you have it, or you don’t.”
- Awareness comes first. You can’t manage triggers you haven’t noticed.
- Calm earns trust. People gravitate toward leaders who stay steady when things get messy.
- Your energy sets the tone. How you show up emotionally often matters more than your words.
For me, composure isn’t about being unshakable. It’s about choosing to respond with clarity and steadiness — especially when that’s the hardest thing to do.
Check out some of my other book reviews.
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