%20Devices%20Market.jpg "Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Devices Market to Witness Robust Growth Driven by 5G and IoT Expansion")
In this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor sits down with Sébastien Page, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Global Multi-Asset at T. Rowe Price, where he oversees more than $500 billion in assets. Sébastien is also the author of The Psychology of Leadership (Harriman House, 2025), and was named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Finance.
Drawing from sports psychology, leadership research, and his own 25+ years in finance, Sébastien shares how leaders can build resilience, embrace stress as fuel, and help their teams perform at their best.
Key Topics Covered
- Why stress can be fuel for performance (and when it becomes harmful)
- What Roger Federer’s 54% win rate teaches us about resilience and mindset
- How astronauts and athletes optimize performance under extreme pressure
- Why leadership is about empathy and helping others succeed
- The role of psychology in navigating uncertainty in business and finance
Listen or Subscribe on:
Watch the full episode on YouTube here:
Stress as Fuel Not the Enemy
One of the most powerful insights Sébastien shared is the idea that stress is not always bad—in fact, the right amount can sharpen performance.
“Optimal performance doesn’t happen at zero stress—it happens at the right stress level.” – Sébastien Page
Drawing on research from sports psychology, Sébastien explains that leaders must learn to manage stress differently depending on the task. For simple, physical tasks, higher stress can boost results; for creative or complex tasks, a calmer state is essential.
Lessons from Roger Federer and Baseball
Sébastien illustrates resilience through surprising sports stats. For instance, Roger Federer won 80 percent of matches, yet only 54 percent of the points he played. Similarly, baseball’s best hitters fail 70 percent of the time.
These lessons remind leaders that success is not about perfection—it is about persistence, learning from losses, and staying consistent over time.
Empathy and Leadership Under Pressure
Leadership, Sébastien stresses, is not about the leader—it is about the team. Different people thrive under different levels of pressure. Some perform best in high-stress situations, while others need calm conditions.
By practicing empathy and understanding each team member’s “stress curve,” leaders can tailor their approach to get the best out of people, whether they are on a trading floor or in a creative brainstorming session.
Lessons from Neil Armstrong
Perhaps the most striking story comes from Neil Armstrong’s moon landing. Despite failing equipment and only minutes of fuel left, Armstrong’s heart rate averaged just 75 beats per minute—a level close to resting.
Armstrong’s ability to stay composed under pressure highlights the importance of preparation, resilience, and experience. As Sébastien notes, not everyone is born with Armstrong’s tolerance, but leaders can train themselves to better manage stress.
“Leadership is about empathy and helping others perform at their best. It’s not about you.” – Sébastien Page
Work With Us
Want to build resilience and align your team for success? Subscribe to the Strategy & Leadership Podcast and explore how SME Strategy can help your organization create and execute a winning strategy.
Learn more: SME Strategy Strategic Planning Facilitation
About the Guest
Sébastien Page is Chief Investment Officer and Head of Global Multi-Asset at T. Rowe Price, where he leads a team managing more than $500 billion. He is the author of The Psychology of Leadership (Harriman House, 2025), Beyond Diversification (McGraw-Hill, 2020), and co-author of Factor Investing and Asset Allocation (CFA Institute, 2016). His work has earned six research awards from The Journal of Portfolio Management and the Financial Analysts Journal. Named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Finance, Sébastien regularly appears on Bloomberg and CNBC, and serves on editorial boards and finance research groups
Learn more: psychologyofleadership.net
Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sebastien-page
About the Host
Anthony Taylor is the CEO, Founder, and Senior Facilitator at SME Strategy. With over 14 years of experience, he helps leadership teams around the world create alignment, implement successful strategies, and drive results.
Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn
Helpful Resources & Contact:
More from our online courses: https://courses.smestrategy.net/
Contact our team: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact
Podcast produced by: https://www.rednyne.com/
