Stress is a common challenge for many professionals, especially in times of uncertainty, change, or pressure. But when your team is struggling to manage stress, it can affect their performance, well-being, and morale. As a leader, you can help them overcome it by applying some effective stress management techniques. Here are some tips to get you started.
The first step to managing stress is to understand what is causing it. You can do this by asking your team members to share their concerns, frustrations, and expectations. Listen to them empathetically and validate their feelings. You can also use tools like surveys, feedback forms, or stress audits to gather more data. By identifying the sources of stress, you can prioritize the most urgent issues and address them accordingly.
The number one productivity killer is often stress and constant pressure in the workplace, leading to burnout. As a leader, it's essential to help your team build strong stress management systems and coping mechanisms. The first step is identifying stressors. Creating a safe and confidential environment encourages team members to open up and share what causes stress in their workplace and life. Your approach to the conversation as a leader is crucial; you play a pivotal role in helping team members become authentic and vulnerable while sharing. Be present in the moment, actively listen, and demonstrate empathy, understanding, and respect. Ask empowering open-ended questions to uncover the root of the stress and foster trust.
Taking into account the advances of positive organizational psychology (Bakker, Demerouti), you not only have to detect the stressors, but also the resources available to cope with those stressors. It is not about denying the stressors, but about adjusting the strategy using the right tools for each stressor. This is key because this insight allows you to dialogue with your team how to use these resources efficiently. In turn, this type of conversation motivates the team as it renews their hope in being able to resolve the issues that are causing them distress.
In my experience, Stress is not always external. It can be internal, which is caused due to childhood trauma, belief systems, emotional responses, thought patterns, and personality traits. As a leader, demonstrate empathy and compassion towards the team member who may be experiencing stress or its effects. Listen actively and non-judgmentally to their concerns, and validate their experiences. Offer support and encouragement as they navigate their healing journey.
Mindset and framing. Language and behaviours. At work and home. Having been at both ends of the spectrum, it's worth noting peoples general health and vitality. poor eating, no exercises, vice use. Look at daily habits. Electrolyte use. Supplementation of vitamin D, magnesium, Zinc and others. Mindset training will provide in moment skills and hacks to change the nature of the stress from distress to eustress. Decay to growth. Keeping the narrative growth focused, the language positive and coherent and "we are in this together" from the leadership down, will help mitigate these negative stressors.
The next step is to provide your team with the support and resources they need to cope with stress. This can include offering flexible work arrangements, adjusting deadlines, delegating tasks, or reducing workload. You can also encourage your team to use the available wellness programs, counseling services, or employee assistance plans that your organization offers. Additionally, you can create a supportive culture by recognizing your team's achievements, expressing appreciation, and giving constructive feedback.
Provide support and resources to help team members build strong stress management strategies. This could include offering wellness or personal development programs provided by your organization, assisting them in finding a coach or mentor, and organizing team events where people can connect and support each other outside of the working environment. Help them prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities, and don't hesitate to offer them a few days off if necessary to recharge their batteries. Acknowledge their work and achievements regularly, showing that they are valued in the workplace and that all their efforts are appreciated.
As a leader encourage a healthy work-life balance by setting reasonable expectations around workload and deadlines. Avoid situations where team members feel overwhelmed or pressured to prioritize work over their personal lives. Introducing meditation and mindfulness sessions can help the team to improve their focus, reduce stress, and promote well-being. Random acts of kindness are a great way to create a positive work culture where the team members are appreciated and recognized. Leaders should model healthy behaviors and habits themselves, such as taking breaks, managing stress effectively, and maintaining work-life balance. When team members see their leader prioritizing well-being, they are more likely to follow suit.
Another way to help your team overcome stress is to teach them some stress management skills that they can use on their own. These can include breathing exercises, meditation, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or positive affirmations. You can also share some tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as eating well, sleeping enough, exercising regularly, and avoiding substances. You can organize workshops, webinars, or training sessions to teach these skills, or invite experts to share their insights.
Teaching is useful in times of low stress. In those moments you can give workshops or webinars to teach emotional intelligence tools, coping resources, mindfulness, meeting management, use of digital tools to achieve goals, etc. But when you team is in the middle of a situation defined as "acute stress", you are not going to solve it with a workshop. It is solved with a) problem-solving focused leadership, and b) well-communicated prioritization.
In my experience, heart-focused breathing is a simple yet powerful technique for regulating stress and promoting overall well-being. This technique involves focusing attention on the heart area and breathing rhythmically and deeply. The Heart-focussed breathing technique has many benefits which are immediate: 1. It Lowers cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone. 2. It Facilitates emotional regulation by shifting focus from stressors to sensations in the heart area. 3. It enhances cognitive function by reducing the impact of stress on the brain. 4. It Improves mood and promotes feelings of calmness and balance.
As a leader, you also have a responsibility to model healthy behaviors for your team. This means that you should practice what you preach and manage your own stress effectively. You can do this by setting realistic goals, managing your time, communicating clearly, and seeking help when needed. You should also avoid sending mixed signals by expecting your team to work long hours, taking on too much work, or neglecting your own well-being. By showing your team how to manage stress, you can inspire them to follow your example.
In my experience, a leader should model healthy behaviors and habits themselves, such as taking breaks, managing stress effectively, and maintaining work-life balance. When team members see their leader prioritizing well-being, they are more likely to follow suit. As a leader encourage a healthy work-life balance by setting reasonable expectations around workload and deadlines. Avoid situations where team members feel overwhelmed or pressured to prioritize work over their personal lives. Introducing meditation and mindfulness sessions can help the team to improve their focus, reduce stress, and promote well-being. Random acts of kindness are a great way to create a positive work culture where the team members are appreciated and recognized
Finally, you can help your team overcome stress by fostering a positive environment that promotes collaboration, communication, and creativity. You can do this by encouraging your team to share their ideas, opinions, and feedback, and by involving them in decision making. You can also create opportunities for your team to socialize, bond, and have fun, such as organizing team-building activities, celebrations, or games. By fostering a positive environment, you can boost your team's morale, motivation, and resilience.
Perhaps You may be able to quickly diagnose roots of stress in your team, considering these bullets: a) if they are in a toxic environment or context (that hinders good performance and work-engagment) b) if they have toxic communication methods (if there are double messages, double agenda, lack of psychological safety, irrational deadlines, etc.). c) or if there is someone who is "toxifying" other team members through their "anti-productive" behavior. This quick diagnosis can help you lead the next steps to reduce the emotional burden of unnecessary stress. Your team will thank you and you will gain respect if you solve these problems well.
In my opinion, every leader should strive to become a conscious leader. They possess a high level of self-awareness, understanding their strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations. This self-awareness allows them to lead authentically and make decisions that align with their values and vision. Conscious leaders understand the value of emotional resilience in navigating challenges and setbacks. They cultivate self-awareness, learn from failures, and bounce back quickly. They also foster resilience in their teams by providing support and encouraging a growth mindset.
In my experience it is important to create a culture of open communication where team members feel comfortable discussing their stressors and concerns. Encourage regular check-ins to gauge how everyone is coping and provide opportunities for team members to share their experiences and seek support. You should always acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and contributions of your team members regularly. Recognition and positive feedback can boost morale, reduce stress, and foster a sense of accomplishment. And finally, keep an eye on the well-being of your team members and follow up regularly to check on their stress levels and progress. Be proactive in addressing any emerging issues or signs of distress.