37. Navigating Leadership Anxiety: The CALM Framework

Empowered Christian Woman

In this episode, Jeannette dives into a critical but often overlooked aspect of leadership—managing anxiety. Leadership and anxiety go hand in hand, and the real question isn’t whether you’ll experience anxiety, but how you’ll handle it. Drawing from personal experience and expert insights, she explores why anxiety is a natural part of leadership, how it can become destructive if ignored, and how to transform it into a tool for growth.

Jeannette introduces the CALM Framework, a four-step process to help leaders navigate anxiety with intention:

1. Catch the Anxiety – Recognize and name it rather than pushing it aside.
2. Assess Your Thoughts – Identify the thought patterns fueling your stress and replace them with empowering beliefs.
3. Lean into the Discomfort – Stop resisting anxiety and allow yourself to process it physically and emotionally.
4. Move with Intention – Take your next step from a place of wisdom rather than fear.

Jeannette shares personal stories, including her experience leading through the 2008 recession and the anxiety of stepping into entrepreneurship. She also highlights practical strategies like breathwork, thought reframing, and nervous system regulation to help you stay grounded and lead with confidence.

Get your free guide, “Five-Minute Reset Rituals for Ministry Leaders”, to help you stay calm, clear, and confident in the midst of leadership pressures.

👉 Download it at jeanettecochran.com/reset

If this episode resonates with you, share it with a fellow leader who may need encouragement. And remember, leadership isn’t about eliminating anxiety—it’s about growing your capacity to hold it and still lead with clarity. You’ve got this, empowered leader!

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👉 Grab Your Free Guide Here: 5-Minute Reset Rituals to Help You Reduce Leadership Anxiety