Dr. Michael Gillespie, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of South Florida, shares key insights from his acclaimed book “Distancing: How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions.”

Psychological distancing is a practical method that helps leaders step outside their immediate emotions, habits, and biases so they can see decisions more clearly. Drawing on his work at the University of South Florida and his book “Distancing: How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions,” Dr. Michael Gillespie explains that leaders’ biggest obstacle to sound judgment is often their own attachment to past choices and identities.

He outlines three core forms of distancing: self-distancing (seeing your situation as a trusted outsider), spatial distancing (changing your physical or mental vantage point), and temporal distancing (evaluating choices from your future self’s perspective). Simple practices such as journaling in the third person or asking “What would my replacement do?” can improve clarity, reduce anxiety, and counter escalation of commitment. Gillespie encourages leaders and organizations to normalize “timeouts” and build processes that separate decision-making from evaluation to foster more objective, long-term thinking.

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