Hello, it’s 2026. Getting trapped for over 2 hours in an elevator was not on my bingo card for the year. In fact, it was not on my bucket list either.
And yet, it still happened. Guess what, there was nothing I could do about it.
So, what did the experience teach you, Tim?
Here is my short list;
- Chew gum
- Do not panic
- Wait for help
- Stay grounded
- Avoid succumbing to fear
- Respond rather than react
- Look for simple solutions
- Think through your options
- Breathe, even when it seems difficult
- Listen for directions and instructions
- Only speak when it seems appropriate
- Plan an escape to keep your mind active
- Do not waste energy on things you cannot change
My sense is we often get ahead of ourselves when put under pressure. I know I do, from time to time.
Being able to place a buffer or “mental distance” between me and the situation helped me to maintain clarity. As well, it helped me to focus on the present.
It felt like my military training might become valuable as the situation dragged on. I was prepared to “take charge” as the conditions warranted. For me, that was a critical choice.
Being a leader demands clarity during unclear moments. It calls for strength, brevity, and decisive action. Crisis often brings out the best and worst in people.
I was as ready as I could be to manage the situation and to lead the people involved.
In a sense, the experience validated what I have learned about teamwork over the years.
Staying strong, maintaining silence, and being ready to act when called on creates a tactical advantage that cannot be matched.
Having a Stanley water bottle, chewing gum, and Benchmade pocket knife also helps!
One response to “What Being Trapped in an Elevator Taught Me”
Been there, done that – Holiday Inn in Waikiki for 2 hours 45 minutes.
1. Always go to the bathroom before getting on an elevator. The couple trapped in the elevator with me were getting increasingly uncomfortable because they needed to go…
2. The emergency phone in the elevator may not work. Have the phone number of that location on your cell phone and call them as necessary.