When things go wrong, the British expect the problem-solver to stay calm and keep working. Panic, frustration, and emotional overreaction are seen as obstacles to clear thinking. Composure is not coldness—it is the discipline of maintaining focused attention on the problem when the pressure is on.
The persistence is equally important: problems that do not yield to the first attempt still need to be addressed, and the expectation is continued engagement rather than giving up. But this is informed persistence, not stubbornness—the approach may change, but the commitment to solving the problem does not. Staying composed allows you to think clearly. Staying persistent ensures the problem eventually gets addressed.
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