Why Panic is a Poor Business Navigator, According to Choo Ann NGOH

In a recent LinkedIn post, Choo Ann NGOH shares a personal anecdote to illustrate why succumbing to panic can be detrimental in business leadership. NGOH uses the experience of a thunderstorm and a misplaced dog to draw parallels with how entrepreneurs might react to sudden business crises.

NGOH begins by recounting an incident where their dog, frightened by a heavy thunderstorm, ended up trapped between an iron grille and a glass door. The initial thought was that the dog had run off, but a closer inspection revealed the dog had attempted to climb a shoe rack in a moment of fear, becoming wedged in the process.

“In a moment of pure, raw fear, my dog must have decided that the safest place in the world was……to climb on the shoe rack in his attempt to go indoors!”

This scenario, NGOH suggests, mirrors the reactions of business leaders when faced with unexpected challenges. NGOH writes:

“When the thunderstorms ⛈️ of business hit—a sudden cash flow crisis, a platform algorithm change, or a failed partnership—it’s easy to let emotions take the wheel.”

The Dangers of Emotional Decision-Making

NGOH elaborates on how panic can lead to impulsive and unmeasured reactions. The post highlights two key pitfalls of letting emotions guide business decisions:

1. The Anywhere But Here Impulse

According to NGOH, panic often triggers an immediate desire to escape a difficult situation without fully assessing it. This reactive behavior, described as the “anywhere but here impulse,” can lead to poor choices. NGOH warns that in the coming years, such un data-driven reactions could result in entrepreneurs becoming “wedged between a legal ‘iron grille’ and a financial ‘glass door.'”

2. Ineffective Problem-Solving

The analogy of the trapped dog continues as NGOH explains the need for calm and precise action. Attempting to forcefully free the dog would have been dangerous and counterproductive. Instead, a measured approach was required.

“To get my dog out, I couldn’t use a hammer to break the glass door… I had to be calm, precise, and resourceful.”

As NGOH argues, business leaders face a similar dilemma. The instinct to forcefully address a problem might seem like a quick solution, but it can exacerbate the issue. NGOH emphasizes that the role of a leader is not to mirror the panic but to manage their own emotions effectively.

Mastering Emotions for Resilient Leadership

NGOH stresses the importance of mental discipline in maintaining composure during business storms. “It is about having the mental discipline to stay grounded when lightning ⚡strikes,” NGOH states. The post implies that uncontrolled emotions can lead to leaders losing control of their own actions and decision-making processes.

The article concludes with a direct address to fellow Malaysian entrepreneurs, posing a question about their personal rituals for staying calm when market conditions become turbulent. This interactive element encourages reflection and community engagement on a critical leadership skill.