Uncertainty is a constant today, especially for leaders guiding teams through change, disruption, or transformation. Many leaders instinctively seek control or quick wins when the pressure is on. But what if the most powerful leadership posture is not always about pushing forward, but knowing how to defend, adapt, and respond with calm under pressure?
Drawing from my experience with the martial art of jiu jitsu and years of agile transformation experience, this article explores how mastering “the guard position” can help leaders not only survive uncertainty but also turn defensive moments into breakthrough opportunities.
Who is this for? Leaders, executives, and agile practitioners facing organizational turbulence, stalled projects, or resistance to change, especially those seeking practical, behaviour-focused strategies beyond frameworks.
What you’ll learn:
- Why defensive leadership matters in uncertainty
- How the “guard position” in jiu jitsu translates to business
- Actionable steps to build calm, strategic resilience in your leadership
- Real-world example from Berriault & Associates’ client work
Establishing Context: Why Defensive Leadership Matters
In agile transformations and organizational change, uncertainty is an inevitable aspect. Project delays, shifting priorities, and stakeholder resistance can all put leaders on the defensive. Traditional leadership advice often focuses on “attack," pushing through obstacles, driving change, or taking bold action.
However, just as in jiu-jitsu, effective leaders know that sometimes the best move is to hold your ground, assess the situation, and respond with intention. Defensive leadership is about creating stability, maintaining composure, and preparing to turn adversity into advantage (see HBR, “6 Strategies for Leading Through Uncertainty,” 2021).
The Guard Position: Lessons from Jiu Jitsu
In Jiu Jitsu, the guard is a defensive position where a practitioner is on their back, using their legs and arms to control an opponent from below. To the untrained eye, it may look vulnerable, but in reality, the guard is a position of strategic opportunity.
Key lessons from the guard:
- Patience under pressure: The guard teaches you to stay calm, breathe, and avoid panic when things aren’t going your way.
- Active defence: You’re not just “holding on," you’re constantly looking for openings to improve your position or launch a counterattack.
- Energy management: Instead of fighting force with force, you use technique and leverage to conserve energy and wait for the right moment.
- Adaptability: The guard requires you to adjust to your opponent’s movements, shifting tactics as the situation evolves.
Translating the Guard to Leadership
1. Stay Calm, Don’t Panic In business, uncertainty can feel like being pinned down. Defensive leaders resist the urge to react impulsively. Instead, they pause, assess, and maintain emotional stability, setting the tone for their teams.
2. Active Defence: Seek Opportunity in Setbacks Defensive leadership isn’t passive. Like the guard, it’s about looking for small openings: a new stakeholder who’s open to change, a process bottleneck ready for improvement, or a team’s hidden strength.
3. Conserve Energy, Focus on What Matters Instead of wasting energy on every challenge, defensive leaders prioritize their efforts. What’s the one move that will make the most significant difference? Where can you apply leverage for maximum impact?
4. Adapt and Flow As in jiu jitsu, leaders must adapt as conditions change. Being rigid or overly attached to one plan can leave you vulnerable. Defensive leadership is about adapting to change, not resisting it.
Example: Turning Defence into Breakthrough
Working with a software development team that faced a sudden shift in project scope, deadlines were accelerated, and half the team was reassigned. Instead of scrambling or blaming, the team’s leader held a “guard position”:
- She acknowledged the uncertainty openly with her team
- Paused new initiatives to focus on core deliverables
- Invited team input on what was still possible
- Communicated transparently with stakeholders about risks and options Within weeks, the team stabilized, refocused, and delivered a streamlined MVP, earning the trust of leadership and setting the stage for future successes.
Action Steps: Building Your Defensive Leadership
- Practice the Pause: When confronted with uncertainty, take a breath. Gather information before acting.
- Assess, Don’t Assume: Like a jiu jitsu practitioner feeling out their opponent, assess the new landscape, what’s changed, what’s stable, where are the opportunities?
- Communicate Calmly: Your team takes cues from you. Model calm, honest communication.
- Look for Leverage: Where can a slight shift make a significant impact? Don’t try to fix everything at once.
- Train for Adaptability: Regularly put yourself and your team in low-stakes “guard” situations—retrospectives, scenario planning, or role-play exercises.
Call to Action
How do you respond when the pressure is on? Next time you find yourself on the defensive, try adopting the “guard position”—pause, assess, and look for your opportunity.
Want to see how your team handles uncertainty? Schedule a call to explore our Evolutionary Agilist™ assessment and discover your organization’s leverage points.
References
- Gracie, R. (2003). Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique. Invisible Cities Press.
- Brown, B. (2018). Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Random House.
- Denning, S. (2018). The Age of Agile: How Smart Companies Are Transforming the Way Work Gets Done. AMACOM.
- Berriault, J. (2025). Client case files, Berriault & Associates (anonymized for confidentiality).
- Harvard Business Review. (2021). “6 Strategies for Leading Through Uncertainty.” https://hbr.org/2021/04/6-strategies-for-leading-through-uncertainty