Leadership Under Fire: When You Feel Like Going Full Capone

When you’re about to lose it, BUFCA helps you lead instead.

“Leadership Under Fire: When You Feel Like Going Full Capone”

 “I want him DEAD! I want his house burned to the GROUND!”

— Al Capone, The Untouchables

 That scene is iconic — and exaggerated, and my client didn’t say it, but it sounds more dramatic, right? But let’s be honest: if you’re in a leadership role, you’ve probably felt a version of that firestorm when something critical goes wrong.

A CEO client of mine recently experienced that moment. A repeated error led to a financial loss. He was furious and ready to terminate the employee immediately.

But here’s the twist — this time, the problem wasn’t the employee. It was a system failure.

In that high-pressure moment, I drew on a tool I was first introduced to during my ICF coach training with Accomplishment Coaching. It’s called BUFCA — and it has become a cornerstone of how I help leaders think and lead under pressure:

🔹 B = Breakdown – What went wrong? What shouldn’t have happened?

🔹 U = Upset – What’s the emotional impact? What’s alive in you?

🔹 F = Facts – Strip away story and judgment. What’s objectively true?

🔹 C = Commitment – What are you really committed to in this situation?

🔹 A = Action – What’s the next step that aligns with your commitment?

BUFCA helped this CEO take a breath, reframe the issue, and ultimately avoid making a decision he would’ve regretted.

🔥 Leadership doesn’t mean not feeling the heat. It means learning how to move through it with clarity.

 🧭 Learn more about how I help business leaders across the USA and UK lead with perspective, courage, and precision at: www.petergourri.com

 📨 If this helped, share it with someone navigating leadership under pressure.

 #BUFCA #executivecoaching #accomplishmentcoaching #lawyersofgoogle #attorneysatlaw #pgcc #SuccessStartsInside