A few years ago I worked in an environment where a key leader carried a constant load of high stress due to both historical life events and being in an environment where the CEO believed keeping people a bit nervous about their jobs was a useful motivational tool.
The CEO actually managed personal stress well, but her supervision of this leader led to a high level of anxiety and stress whenever staff knew they would have to meet one on one with her.
Ironically, the intent was to keep staff mission-focused, but the fear and decisions she made created unnecessary turnover and high stress
It was very uncomfortable for me, as I was training and trying to help staff be competent and feel confident. I couldn’t succeed as everyone knew the other leader was more directly connected with the CEO. The team was constantly stressed due to the work dynamic.
This leader and the CEO didn’t understand how stress impacts keeping everyone focused on the mission and performing. People under unnecessary stress do not perform optLeaders need to skills to manage their stress in order to do this. Leaders who are unable to manage stress create cultures in which stress is a constant, and in which self-care is not valued, or actually frowned upon.
Managing stress refers to a leader’s ability to deal constructively and effectively with the pressures and challenges that life throws at him or her. It also includes the ability to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
Why is it important? Stress, setbacks, and emergencies are a part of life. Understanding the cause of personal stress and developing effective coping behaviors is critical for leading and living healthily and effectively. A leader with this skill: • Controls personal negative reactions to stress and coaches others to do the same. • Stays positive and learns from mistakes and setbacks and creates a culture in which this is the norm. • Says no to unreasonable work demands and avoids making unreasonable demands of others. • Maintains a healthy work-life balance and encourages it in the culture. • Practices healthy physical and mental activities to remain in balance.
If you have trouble with this skill, then your leadership success and the performance of your organization will suffer. If you want to be a great or even good leader, you need to be skilled in this area.
This is one of the attributes of leadership included in The Lions Leader Manager Assessment. Ray Hoskins and Associates uses this assessment. It helps our clients assess their leadership competencies. We then work with clients to help them identify which changes they can make to lead, and indeed, live more effectively. It does all begin with knowing yourself.