Grace in the Workplace

In the Creative Leadership program at MCAD, we believe leadership is not only about strategy and vision—it’s also about how we show up for one another in moments of challenge. Recently, our students were guided by Elena Favola, who led a powerful conversation on navigating workplace difficulties with poise and grace.

Elena reminded us that leadership begins in the body. Our reactions—defensiveness, frustration, silence—often reveal what we are trying to protect. She offered this simple but profound insight:

“When you’re defensive, notice what you are trying to protect.”

This invitation helps leaders pause, listen inwardly, and respond with clarity rather than reactivity. It is the essence of co-regulation—the practice of staying grounded while also creating conditions that help others stay calm, present, and engaged.

Workplaces are full of pressure points: tight deadlines, clashing perspectives, unexpected setbacks. Leaders who can regulate themselves—and help their teams do the same—create environments where trust, creativity, and collaboration flourish. Co-regulation reminds us that leadership is relational. The steadiness of one person can anchor an entire group.

Two Tips to Stay Regulated as a Leader

1. Pause Before You React
   When tension rises, take a breath before speaking. A simple pause creates space to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting defensively.
2. Ground Yourself Physically
   Plant your feet on the floor, unclench your jaw, or rest your hands softly on your lap. Small physical shifts can calm the nervous system and signal safety to those around you.

Elena’s session left our students with a deeper understanding of how leadership is lived out not only in decisions and policies, but also in the micro-moments of human interaction. Her wisdom reminds us that transformation often begins here: in the way we breathe, listen, and respond to one another. To lead with grace is to notice what we are protecting, to soften, and to create space where others can feel steady too.