Situational awareness is a crucial skill that can make the difference between thriving and merely surviving in both personal and professional life. It’s about being deeply tuned in to your environment, understanding the signals people give off, and trusting your instincts to make decisions with limited information. In this article, I want to share insights on situational awareness and leadership lessons from crisis, inspired by my conversations with Fabiana Lacerca-Allen, a C-level executive and author of Crisis Capable. Her unique perspective, shaped by growing up in 1970s Argentina during a military dictatorship and her extensive corporate career, offers valuable lessons on how emotional intelligence, intuition, and self-awareness can empower anyone to lead effectively in tough situations.
Growing Up with Situational Awareness: Lessons from 1970s Argentina
Fabiana’s story begins in a living room in Argentina when she was about six years old, a time and place marked by political turmoil and danger. Her family faced direct threats, and early on, she learned that survival depended on paying attention to subtle signs and trusting instincts. One of the most powerful lessons she recalls is a conversation with her father after a frightening attack on their home. Expecting reassurance that no one would die, Fabiana was instead told, “But we're all going to die, so don’t worry about it. Worry about what you’re going to live for. Some things are worth dying for, and for everything else, you need a plan.”
“But we're all going to die, so don’t worry about it. Worry about what you’re going to live for. Some things are worth dying for, and for everything else, you need a plan.”
This lesson became a guiding principle for her life. It highlights the importance of having purpose and a plan, especially when facing uncertainty. Fabiana’s childhood was filled with moments where she and her younger sister, despite being just five and six years old, sensed danger before the adults did. For example, her sister noticed strangers watching their home from outside, something the parents initially dismissed as security guards. Fabiana herself dreamt of red shadows, a symbol of the impending threat that indeed materialized at dawn.
These early experiences forced Fabiana to develop emotional intelligence and situational awareness far earlier than most people. She learned to read the environment, detect patterns, and understand when something was off. This heightened sense of awareness became a survival tool and later a leadership asset.
The Power of Childhood Intuition
Psychologists often note that young children have a heightened sensitivity to their surroundings because their rational mind is still developing. Fabiana’s story reinforces this idea, showing that children’s intuition can be remarkably accurate. Her sister’s ability to notice suspicious behavior and Fabiana’s own dreams and feelings were early signs of their emotional intelligence at work.
In many societies today, however, this intuitive sensitivity is often suppressed. Children are taught to be polite and not offend others, sometimes at the cost of ignoring their gut feelings. Fabiana points out that this can be dangerous because those instincts are vital for personal safety and decision-making.
Situational Awareness and Intuition in Leadership
Fabiana’s ability to trust her instincts didn’t end with childhood. Throughout her 30-year career as a C-level executive at Fortune 100 companies, she applied situational awareness and emotional intelligence to navigate complex corporate environments.
One story she shared illustrates how well she knew her father and how that knowledge helped her make a life-saving decision. At 14, she was at a math tutor’s house, and someone rang the bell early claiming to be her father picking her up. Despite wanting to believe it, Fabiana knew her father would never pick her up early or ring the bell the way this person did. She trusted her instincts, locked herself inside, and later confirmed that it was an impostor. This decision likely saved her life.
Fabiana emphasizes that effective leaders often have to make decisions with limited information. They rely on intuition, emotional intelligence, and situational awareness to read the room, understand people’s intentions, and act decisively. These skills allow leaders to build trust, manage teams, and respond to crises effectively.
Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Superpower
Emotional intelligence is more than just understanding your own feelings; it’s about reading others and adapting to the situation. Fabiana notes that in corporate America, many people focus on IQ or educational background when hiring or promoting leaders. However, she argues that traits like emotional intelligence, trustworthiness, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are far more important for survival and success.
For example, in negotiations or team dynamics, understanding the signals people give off - whether nervousness, dishonesty, or hidden power structures - can help leaders make better decisions. Fabiana shares that many problems, even violent ones, don’t come out of nowhere but are preceded by signals that often go unnoticed or ignored.
Building Situational Awareness: Practical Strategies
Situational awareness is a skill anyone can develop with practice. Fabiana suggests observational exercises to sharpen this ability. One such exercise she did with her team involved going to a busy restaurant and trying to describe people’s appearances and behaviors in detail. Surprisingly, many struggled with basic descriptions, showing how much people tune out their environment.
Here are some practical steps to improve situational awareness:
Pay attention to details: Notice what people are wearing, how they behave, and any changes in the environment.
Trust your instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t ignore that feeling even if you can’t immediately explain it.
Observe patterns: Look for repeated behaviors or anomalies that might signal a change or threat.
Practice mindfulness: Being present in the moment helps you notice things you might otherwise miss.
Discuss and reflect: Talk about what you observe and learn from others’ perspectives to sharpen your understanding.
Fabiana also highlights the importance of self-awareness. Knowing your own strengths, weaknesses, and emotional triggers helps you respond better under pressure and make clearer decisions.
Balancing Vigilance and Well-being
While situational awareness is vital, it’s possible to go too far and become hyper-vigilant, which can lead to stress and anxiety. Fabiana acknowledges this but argues that it’s better to be too alert than unaware. Being aware allows you to respond to danger early and protect yourself and others.
Finding a balance means developing a mindset where you stay alert without becoming overwhelmed. Techniques like deep breathing, grounding exercises, and taking breaks from stressful environments can help maintain this balance.
Integrity and Decision-Making in Crisis
One of Fabiana’s core values is integrity. She shared that there are lines she will never cross, such as signing off on something she knows is untrue. Integrity is essential for leaders, especially in crisis, because decisions often involve ethical dilemmas and trust issues.
Fabiana encourages leaders to be honest with themselves and their teams. Admitting mistakes, learning from them, and maintaining transparency builds resilience and credibility. She also stresses the importance of having an exit strategy or knowing what your non-negotiables are in difficult situations.
Learning from Failure and Dark Moments
Everyone faces moments when the challenges seem unsurmountable. Fabiana admits to having had times when she thought it might be best if she wasn’t around anymore, but she always kept a plan and a will to learn. These dark moments are part of growth and leadership.
What matters is how you respond. Being open to learning, listening to others, and adapting your approach can turn crises into opportunities for transformation.
Applying Situational Awareness Across Cultures and Contexts
Fabiana’s experiences growing up in Argentina and working in the U.S. reveal how situational awareness must adapt to different cultural norms. For example, in her interactions with Indian colleagues, she notes the importance of understanding subtle cues like humility mixed with strong will, which might be misunderstood by outsiders.
She also points out that many people live in environments far less secure than those in Western countries. What looks like chaos or unpredictability to some is a normal part of life for others, requiring constant vigilance and adaptability.
Leaders who understand different cultural contexts and the unique challenges people face are better equipped to build strong, inclusive teams and organizations.
Situational Awareness in Everyday Life and Corporate America
Situational awareness isn’t just for crisis or dangerous situations. It applies to everyday life, from navigating traffic to reading social signals at work. Fabiana shares how corporate America is full of signals that people often miss or choose to ignore. Whether it’s sensing dishonesty in a negotiation or noticing shifts in team dynamics, being aware helps leaders respond effectively.
She also highlights how many social issues—like infidelity, workplace conflicts, or harassment—could be mitigated if people paid more attention to the signs and trusted their instincts.
Embracing Your Unique Background as a Strength
For those coming from challenging environments to safer ones, Fabiana advises embracing your experiences. Your background has equipped you with skills and intuition that many others lack. Use those strengths to thrive in new contexts rather than feeling embarrassed or out of place.
She encourages people to see their history as a source of resilience and wisdom that can benefit their personal and professional lives.
Final Thoughts: Building Capacity to Survive and Succeed
Situational awareness is more than a skill; it’s a mindset. It involves paying attention, trusting your intuition, understanding people’s intentions, and making decisions even without perfect information. Fabiana’s life story and career demonstrate how these qualities can help anyone build resilience, lead with confidence, and navigate uncertainty.
Whether you’re managing a team, negotiating deals, or simply living day to day, cultivating situational awareness can protect you and help you succeed. Remember the advice Fabiana’s father gave her: some things are worth dying for, and for everything else, you need a plan. Build your plan, trust your instincts, and face challenges with purpose.
Connect with Fabiana Lacerca-Allen
If you want to learn more about Fabiana’s work or share your thoughts on Crisis Capable, you can reach her on LinkedIn or through her website. She welcomes conversations and feedback on her book and insights.
Situational awareness is a skill we can all develop. Start by observing your surroundings, listening to your instincts, and reflecting on your experiences. With practice, you’ll become more confident in your ability to lead yourself and others through any crisis or challenge life throws your way.
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This article was created from the video Situational Awareness: Leadership Lessons from Crisis with the help of AI. Watch on YouTube below.
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