How do you avoid stress and conflict by setting clear team expectations?

One thing I've found leading teams and teaching stress management is that you need to understand how the people you hired in the first place learn. With that said the simple yet impactful tool of writing tasks and goals SMART is a game changer. You will find out early if the team is confused or motivated. Thank you for asking the question.

I couldn't agree more, that team goals need to be defined by the team and any other stakeholders. If they aren't part of creating the answers, there is a possibility that they won't be invested in the outcomes.

Establishing norms and rules (as long as they have the best interests of the team at heart) that are agreed upon by team members is very important. This is essential for creating a safe environment for team members to speak up. Most importantly, is that when they are broken or not followed, that this is brought up in a team discussion.

Requesting feedback from every individual can cause additional stress to the team. This commonly stems from not wanting to judge people or their work and fear of negatively impacting someone's performance review. Leaders have to create a safe space for feedback by ensuring that giving feedback is not a fault finding mission. Receiving feedback does not immediately equal to accepting a fault or demerit. Employing the feedback sandwich could reduce the stress that comes with it, however, I personally feel that this method is only applicable to new teams or leaders. Drawbacks such as insincere and manipulative makes it ineffective as a long term template for giving feedback.

I'd like to suggest feedforward instead of feedback. What have your team members learned that will affect what they do in the future, instead of focusing on what has happened in the past. I can't 'stress' enough just how important recognition (a.k.a. appreciation) is, to the wellbeing of your employees. It has to be sincere, timely and specific.

Break the taboo around speaking about stress with your team members. Help each other, learn from each other. This obviously needs a trusted, safe environment.

Stress doesn't look the same in everybody, neither do coping mechanisms, "norms" don't exist as we all deal with things differently. Asking people what methods help them cope under pressure, not only make sure you are attuned to their ways of coping but also may bring up new and novel ways for those that don't have any. For example I have always found movement helps me, dancing, yoga or walking all manage my stress levels but others may find movement difficult and may prefer to meditate, draw or read. However, the most important thing is realising stress before it gets too much, what is causing this feeling, what is this feeling and what does it mean? Often we call it stress but maybe its something else, fear, overwhelm, tiredness?