Leading People with Anxiety

According to the?Anxiety and Depression Association of America,?40% of American employees experience persistent stress or excessive anxiety in their daily lives.??And there are?real costs ?associated with anxiety at work, largely related to turnover and performance.??

Imagine if you, as a leader, could help reduce that anxiety today...

1 Skill I Wish Everyone Had

ABC Centering

This simple technique, which can be easily shared, can immediately reduce anxiety.?I wish everyone knew how to do this.?You could?watch this 2 minute video , try it once, stop reading this email and I'd be thrilled.??

• Awareness

Scan your surroundings for what you see, hear, feel, smell?and taste.?Next, scan your body and notice all it's?sensations.?Start from your feet and work your way up.?Become aware of the present moment.?

• Balance

Find the balance of your?posture?by swaying left/right and back/forward.?The goal is to be sitting/standing in balance, without slouching or titling.?Next, feel your?attention?reach out in all directions, so it's balanced above/below you and behind/in-front of you.??

• Core Relaxation

Relax the?core areas of your body: your eyes, tongue, jaw, chest and belly. Then breathe deeply into your abdomen.

ACTION: Try this now and and compare the results before and after.??

2 Resources to Leverage as a Leader

The book:?Anxiety at Work

I just took an online class?by the authors, Adrian and Chester, and my two favorite things about them are:?

1. They're funny and easy to listen to
2. They give you "what you need to know" and back it up with supporting evidence

ACTION: I recommend checking this book out on Amazon.

This slide?from the book, Anxiety at Work

Over-preparing can be just an unhelpful as under-preparing.?And a lot of?us?struggle with that. This checklist (and graphic) can support you and those you lead -- especially high-performers with a new role, goal or project.

ACTION: Print this and keep it around for when you might need it.

3 Roles Leaders Play During Time of Anxiety

from "Anxiety at Work"

Normalize it

"It's normal to feel this..."

"It's a human emotion..."

Empathize

"I've felt that way myself..."

(Note: offering help is rarely helpful)

?

Destigmatize it

Be brave and start a conversation about anxiety.

Is anxiety popping up in your neck of the woods?

With love,

u