Strategic Calm: A Practical Model for Leading With Purpose and Clarity
In today’s complex, fast-moving environments, leaders are increasingly required to guide teams through uncertainty, disruption and heightened scrutiny. Whether driven by operational challenges, reputational risk or external events, these moments test not only decision making, but also how leaders communicate, influence others and sustain trust. Urgency can amplify noise, distort intent and push leaders toward reactive behaviors that undermine credibility when it matters most.
This session introduces Strategic Calm, a practical leadership framework designed to help leaders lead by influence rather than authority alone. Grounded in real-world crisis response experience and established leadership practices, Strategic Calm focuses on how leaders show up under pressure, using clarity, restraint and intentional communication to stabilize teams and reinforce purpose. Rather than emphasizing speed, the framework helps leaders slow the right moments, ask better questions and communicate in ways that reduce confusion and build confidence.
Participants will be introduced to the CALM Model, a set of clear prompts leaders can apply before, during, and after high-pressure situations. Through realistic scenarios and facilitated discussion, participants learn techniques to stabilize decision making, align teams around shared purpose and maintain effective leadership behaviors under pressure—strengthening credibility, communication and trust when they are most needed.
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate how to communicate uncertainty clearly and confidently by framing intent and expectations using deliberate language that maintains trust and credibility under pressure
- Articulate and deliver clear direction before, during and after high-pressure situations by aligning purpose, values and messaging to guide team action
- Apply a repeatable leadership process to a realistic scenario, demonstrating composure, credibility and influence while aligning teams and supporting sound decision making
Speaker
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Jacqueline MaguireFounder and Principal
Sunday StrategiesWith 25 years of federal law enforcement experience, Jacqueline Maguire brings a strategic approach to guiding organizations through complex challenges. From leading the investigation of the hijackers of Flight 77 after the 9/11 attacks to overseeing large-scale field operations, she has guided teams through consequential moments with clarity and purpose.
As senior executive, Maguire advanced the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s public affairs and training missions, strengthening public trust and mentoring the next generation of leaders. As special agent in charge, she oversaw investigative priorities and ensured compliance of operational and administrative programs.
Maguire earned a bachelor’s degree in comprehensive science from Villanova University, a master’s in criminal justice from Long Island University and a master’s in homeland defense and security from the Naval Postgraduate School.