10 ways leaders can manage stress more effectively

Left unmanaged, stress affects clarity, effective use of work and leisure time, creativity and decision making, not to mention relationships, communication and effective leadership.

Have you ever experienced stress from deadlines and urgency of tasks or from interpersonal conflicts, or even from differing views on a project? Or even from having to be the “leader”? Will it ever really be managed?

The Centre for Creative Leadership reported that 88% of leaders report that work is a primary source of stress in their lives and that having a leadership role increases the level of stress.

Why managing stress matters

With leadership development company Lee Hecht Harrison reporting in 2016 that:

67% of business leaders are struggling with stress and managing their emotions in the workplace, and 84% of senior managers, directors and owners feel they need to curb their natural behaviours at work,

The figures strongly indicate that businesses need to do more to manage workplace stress.

Stress, as we know, can be good for us, encouraging our survival instincts at necessary times and possibly even motivating us at work into action. However, stress left under-managed or not managed at all affects clarity, creativity and decision-making, not to mention relationships, communication and effective leadership. As it can affect us mentally, emotionally and physically, it affects the ability to operate at optimum effectiveness. Results for ourselves, our clients and our employers can therefore be affected.

Nearly 80% of surveyed leaders state they would benefit from a coach to help them manage stress.*

10 ways to manage stress more effectively

Here are 10 things to help you become an even greater leader:

1. Become more self-aware

Regularly reflect on how work is affecting you.

Ask yourself:

• Do I have the work-life balance I want?
• What would I like to change?
• What can I realistically do about it?

Awareness is often the first step towards positive change.

2. Stay calm throughout the day

Notice how you begin your day.

• How do you feel when you arrive at work?
• How grounded are you?

Take moments throughout the day to check in with yourself.

No one else even needs to know you're doing it.

3. Don't overreact

Learn to recognise your own early signs of stress.

Before they become overwhelming, pause.

Take a breath.

Remind yourself that calm thinking usually leads to better decisions. If possible, step away for a short walk; even ten or twenty steps can help you reconnect with your rational thinking.

4. Address the cause

Where practical, deal directly with the source of your stress rather than avoiding it. Sometimes a conversation with a trusted colleague is all that's needed to gain perspective.

5. Take regular breaks

Many professionals believe they're too busy to stop. In reality, regular breaks often improve concentration, decision-making and productivity. Sometimes the most effective next step is taking a short pause.

6. Look after your health

Long-term resilience depends on taking care of both mind and body.

• Exercise regularly.
• Eat well.
• Prioritise quality sleep.

Many leaders also find mindfulness, meditation or spiritual practice valuable for managing stress.

7. Switch off

Step away from technology. Spend time with people who matter to you. Do things you enjoy that have nothing to do with work.

Recovery is an important part of sustained performance.

8. Visualise the future

Imagine yourself six months from now.

• How would you like your relationship with stress to be different?
• How would you like to feel?
• How would you like to behave?

Then ask yourself:

What actions do I need to take to make that future more likely?

9. Plan ahead

Good planning reduces unnecessary stress.

Business will always require flexibility, but having a clear plan helps you respond more calmly when unexpected challenges arise.

10. Make the most of your resources

Don't try to do everything yourself. Use the people, technology, systems and development opportunities available to you.

Effective leadership isn't about carrying every responsibility alone.

Greater awareness creates better leadership

Greater awareness around our own behaviours (which may contribute to stress) and external stressors can help enormously in managing stress. Accepting that a certain level of stress is inevitable coupled with self-management can help you to exercise your role at work with greater awareness and clarity and enjoy your work and interactions much more.