'Deliberate calm' guided US Airways crew

Must read commentary in LA Times

Jan 17, 2009
bubble 2 comments
Submitted by: Ginny Deerin

Jonah Leher, author of "Proust Was a Neuroscientist" and "How We Decide,” wrote a brilliant commentary about the US Air miracle.  He talks about what happens inside the brain when people, like Captain Sullenberger, are forced to make decisions under pressure.  Leher notes that maintaining calm under pressure is a learned skill.  It’s a social and emotional skill. 

Leher has a blog:  The Frontal Cortex.  We recommend it.

What would I do?

On January 31st, 2009 cristy mccrery says:
When I saw Flight 1549 sitting in the Hudson River, I immediately thought about the WINGS creed: "stepped into their shoes and see what they are going through." I thought, "What was the pilot thinking?", "Was the crew able to remain calm for the sake of the passengers?" I think metacognition is a tough skill to master. People get wrapped up in their emotions that sometimes their choices can be irrational. As Leher defined metacognition, he said it was "thinking about thinking." When life comes at you fast, it's tough to think about thinking, because your decision can be the most important one you make for yourself, or for others. I love Leher's closing, when he says that no matter what the situation is, we do have the ability to take some time to process our emotions, think about it, and come to the best decision.

Practice, practice, practice

On January 20th, 2009 Bridget Laird says:
I think the important note Mr. Leher made in this commentary is that people need to practice their "deliberate calm" in order to be able to appy the skill when the time comes. This is what we do with the kids at WINGS. They practice our skills each and everyday. And because of our engaging, creative staff, this practice is fun. Everyone agrees kids need to practice reading in order to get better. Social and emotional skills are no exception.