How do you use communication to manage stress and resilience as a leader?

The basic rule that's worked for me is to not see every disturbance as a stressful situation. When deadlines and expectations are not something you can control, you can surely give your best and then observe your body & mind. If you find any changes that last for a short period of time, then it's fine and you need to take these issues in your stride. It is the recipe for growth and pushing your boundaries. But if the changes in your body & mind are troubling you for a longer period, then you need to take it seriously and need to work towards reducing the stress.

I first recognised that I needed to up skill my resilience techniques when working in Iraq 17 years ago as Head of Press & Public Affairs for the UK government. That was an extreme and dangerous environment, but the meditation, qigong and communication skills I first used then, have stood me in such good stead. So much so, I now teach the same - very much from a science and evidence base. Resilience comes from within us - we already have all the tools - we just need gentle guidance to access them.

Communication is a two way story. You communicate effectively only when you are an attentive listener. People get stressed and keep it to themselves and that leads to work-life imbalance. But if you have a leader who listens to your problems and help you reduce your stress then you are in good hands. That's why, it's said rather than choosing the organisation, choose your leader.

If you can already sense something is wrong and you are still waiting for your team to come up and speak to you, then you are not doing your job correctly. Recognize when someone is quieter than usual, understand the non verbal cues, figure out their workload and try to be cognizant of what's going on underneath the surface. Organizing one to one sessions with individuals and allowing them a safe space to vent out their problems is a great way to use communication as a tool to de-stress. The only thing to be kept in mind here is that after a certain point, if no solutions are provided to their problems then those vent sessions lose their purpose. So, as a leader you must listen, observe, and act. Act being the key word here.

Heard great advice about stress: THERE IS NO SUCH THING. (Unless death is involved.) Don’t we afraid of thunder. It won’t hurt you. Go be awesome / and LET GO OF YOUR IMAGINARY STRESS. You can do so much more. Sheila

In my view, the most important element in building resilience is Communication. By effectively communicating your strengths, values, and vision, you reinforce your commitment to resilience and inspire others to follow suit. Other than communication you can cultivate a growth mindset, and develop strong support networks. You can also practice self

Building resilience goes beyond individual growth; it requires a collaborative effort. Effective communication platforms that celebrate successes and share lessons learned can foster a culture of resilience. Acknowledging achievements, even minor ones, can nurture a growth mindset, enabling people to bounce back stronger from adversity. Enhancing resilience is an iterative process. It’s fueled by seeking feedback, asking for help, and exploring new opportunities. By promoting open dialogue around these areas, leaders can enable individuals to learn, adapt, and grow continuously. Through this, resilience isn't just a personal trait but becomes ingrained in the organization’s culture, enhancing collective adaptability and growth.

Resilience is crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving goals. Communicate your strengths, values, and vision to align with your actions. Acknowledge achievements, celebrate successes, and share lessons learned to showcase resilience. Seek feedback, ask for help, and explore new opportunities to enhance resilience. Use communication as a tool to build and maintain your resilience, adapt to change, and continue growing.

One way I have found to build and maintain resilience is through gratitude. It helps to increase productivity because everyone is celebrated and valued, along with giving everyone fresh purpose and momentum.

This approach is brilliant! ?? My brand revolves around the celebration of successes and the sharing of valuable lessons learned throughout my personal journey. I strongly believe in the power of feedback and the importance of seeking help. It is through feedback and seeking support that we can truly grow and improve as individuals. By doing this, we open ourselves up to growth, learning, and new perspectives. It's essential to recognize that our journey towards success is not a solitary one, but a collaborative effort that thrives on the exchange of ideas and experiences. ??

Leaders play a vital role in supporting and empowering their team members, particularly during stressful times. Use communication to foster a safe and supportive environment where individuals can express concerns, needs, and ideas, feeling valued and respected. Active listening, empathy, and encouragement demonstrate support and empowerment. Motivate and inspire by providing constructive feedback, recognizing contributions, and setting clear and attainable goals. Effective communication strengthens the bond between leader and team, enhancing collaboration, productivity, and overall well-being.

These questions foster a deeper, personal conversation to uncover motivation, goals & what people really need: 1. What's most important to you? 2. What motivates you to come to work? 3. If you could design your perfect day, what would it look like? 4. If you didn’t have to work, what would you do with your time? 5. What makes you happy? 6. What frustrates you? 7. How are you managing & balancing your personal responsibilities & priorities, while staying productive at work? 8. What’s your daily self-care regimen? (Physically, mentally. Exercise, meditation, prayer, taking a walk.) 9. How are you turning off work at the end of the day so you can enjoy &be present with your family & yourself? 10. How can I best support you to achieve this?

It helps if you are a leader that can listen. It's gratifying and less stressful, ironically, if you're able to let the team around you be honest about the things that are stressing them out. Leaders will naturally be less stressed, if they know the people they are leading are actively trying to solve problems, and take the collective weight off each other.

Leaders should lead by example by demonstrating that it is not only acceptable but encouraged to take calculated risks, even if there is a chance of failure. By rewarding risk-taking behaviors, leaders can help reduce stress and foster a safe and supportive environment where members feel comfortable expressing their concerns and sharing innovative ideas openly. Creating a culture that acknowledges and rewards taking risks promotes faster innovation and allows for personal and career development. When teams see their leaders embracing calculated risks and acknowledging that failures are part of the learning process, they become more willing to step out of their comfort zones, explore new ideas, and contribute to the team's overall success.

Teams are like plants, they need the right environment to grow. As leaders, it's our job to provide that sunshine, water, and a bit of pep talk. Empower them with trust, equip them with the right tools, and then step back. Let them take the wheel and surprise you with their abilities. A leader's true success isn't measured by their personal achievements but by the success of those they lead.

Communication is a powerful tool that shapes organizational culture. As a leader, your communication style influences the tone, mood, and norms of your organization. Use communication to foster a positive and productive culture, effectively managing stress and resilience while promoting collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Model positive behaviors, share your vision and values, and prioritize diversity and inclusion. Shape your culture through communication by seeking feedback, involving stakeholders, and effectively communicating change. By using communication intentionally, you can create a culture that nurtures the well-being and success of your team and organization.

Communicating openly and honestly through challenges and changes is key. Most people can actually accept changes if they are communicated properly. Include your team as much as possible in the change management, the more they are involved, the more they will understand it, and most likely accept it. I have seen many organisations go through transformation and change, and the biggest difference between success and failure is how change is communicated, when and how. When teams are informed and involved they will most of the time engage, or at least support the change management. As a leader you have to walk the talk, be involved, share updates on progress when you can, and allow for concerns to be shared with you.

Positive culture isn't an accident; it's a product of conscious actions. Infuse positivity into everyday interactions, highlight the good, and acknowledge efforts, no matter how small. Foster a sense of camaraderie, make work fun, and remember, a team that laughs together, shines together. We're not just clocking hours here; we're building a vibrant community.

Fostering a positive and productive culture also includes avoiding blame and forgiving mistakes, providing support for one another, and emphasizing the importance of the work in all stages of development.

When others see you communicate in a healthy way despite the stress and overwhelm, it creates a culture of empathy and self-care. Assertive communication is an effective way to get others to follow because you don’t align with a culture of an aggressive workplace.

Learn to cultivate inclusion strategies to support your team so that they feel a sense of belonging. Happy team, turn up to work and do their best work!

Imposter syndrome and remote work are two other significant issues to mental health that we need to be cognizant of. The imposter syndrome phenomenon, which involves doubting the legitimacy of personal success and feeling undeserving of achievements, adds to the internalised pressure to excel in circumstances beyond one's control. The shift to more remote working has also created an environment where it is easy to have prolonged social disconnection from peers. We shouldn't disregard the human's innate need for connection and community. Reaching out and finding a supportive community can foster a more balanced and fulfilling life for individuals.

There are no prompts here that suggest a leader should seek support for themselves. That is a huge oversight. Leaders should support and empower their teams, but they need support too. One of the most important ways that people can manage stress is to connect with their supporters. Leaders especially need to consider this because leadership can be lonely and it can lead to taking on the problems of other people. As a lawyer, I understand how burdensome this can feel so it is essential for me to ask for help, seek support, and reconnect with my friends and loved ones regularly.

As a leader, effective communication plays a crucial role in managing stress and building resilience. Foster open dialogue, provide clear expectations, and offer support. Actively listen to concerns and validate emotions. Share information transparently, promoting trust and reducing anxiety. Offer encouragement, recognize achievements, and provide constructive feedback. Communicate a vision, purpose, and strategy to inspire and motivate. Regularly check in with team members, offer resources, and promote work-life balance. By prioritizing communication, you can create a supportive environment that enhances stress management and resilience.

As the leader you have direct impact on how comfortable your team feels about engaging in open dialogue. How you communicate, what you communicate about, your behavior, and the behavior you tolerate are very relevant to fostering an environment where your team feels safe to openly communicate.