Calm Under Pressure: Observations from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A reflection on resilience, leadership and thinking clearly in uncertain moments.

Last Saturday morning, I was enjoying a flat white and tackling a rather tricky sudoku at my local coffee shop in Abu Dhabi. Then came the shock; three muffled booms, in quick succession. Since then, all of us who live here, or were just passing through, have been reminded that safety and stability are never something we should take for granted.

Missile alerts, distant explosions and the constant checking of news feeds are not experiences most residents expect when they move to the UAE. Yet here we are. However, my prevailing personal observation is not fear, but the extraordinary level of protection being provided and how that has meant that I am alert rather than alarmed.

The UAE’s defence systems have been operating with remarkable effectiveness. Interceptions are happening rapidly and decisively, often before most people even understand what has occurred, but often with an unsettling supersonic boom. The coordination between government, military and civil communication channels has been extraordinarily impressive to observe. I am struggling to imagine any country or institution that could match the clarity and calmness of the messaging which is consistently delivered in good time for people to prepare and understand. It is a reminder that national resilience is not only about technology but very much about leadership, preparation and trust.

For many expatriates, this moment also raises a more personal question. Should i stay, or should I go?

Personally, on this I am clear. I am staying.

The UAE has been our host country. It has provided stability, opportunity and a safe environment for our families and careers. At moments like these, there is something important about remaining calm and standing with the society that has supported us. Stability is not only something governments create, it is something communities collectively reinforce.

Psychology offers a useful lens for understanding how people respond in moments like these, and, as a behavioural scientist I want to help others comprehend the space we are currently inhabiting.

Daniel Kahneman’s work on decision making describes two modes of thinking:

System 1 is fast, instinctive and emotional. It evolved to help humans react quickly to potential danger. When alerts sound or explosions are reported nearby, this fast thinking immediately activates. Our attention sharpens and our bodies prepare for action. We start scanning for information and updates.

System 2 is slower and more deliberate. It allows us to step back, assess evidence and make more considered decisions, override the instinct to flee, fight or freeze.

In uncertain situations, the fast system naturally dominates; it evolved for our survival after all. Phones are being checked repeatedly. News moves rapidly through WhatsApp groups and social media and networks. People are trying to make sense of risk in real time.

However, what prevents this from turning into panic is the presence of capable systems.

In reality, when interceptions of the incoming missiles and drones work, when communication is clear and when leadership demonstrates control, people gradually shift back towards slower and more rational thinking. Instead of reacting purely emotionally, individuals are given the space to evaluate the situation more calmly.  In many ways, resilience is simply the ability of institutions to create the conditions where that calmer thinking can return.

This connects closely with the idea of psychological safety, a concept developed by Amy Edmondson. Psychological safety is often misunderstood as the absence of threat or difficulty. However, it is more subtle than that, it is the shared belief that a system or environment is stable enough for people to function effectively even when uncertainty exists.

Psychological safety does not mean nothing goes wrong, for the record. It means that when challenges occur, people trust that systems, leaders and institutions can respond in a consistent fashion.

Over the last few days that pattern has been visible here.  The UAE government has done a formidable job of intercepting the attacks and then communicating where we are at. Life is continuing, carefully, but steadily and we support the country that supports us.

Kahneman’s work reminds us that when systems function well under pressure, people are able to move from instinctive reaction back to more measured thinking. This situation is fluid, I will be revisiting my decision often, as will my family, friends, colleagues and communities. However, this country helped build my life and I stand with them while their way of life is under threat. (And I had my usual flat white at my favourite coffee shop this morning, and successfully finished today’s sudoku.)