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Welcome

It’s coming to the end of the year and I imagine a lot of you will be wrapping up the year or busy trying too. This time of year can be marvellous the Christmas tree is up, presents are wrapped and under the tree. But this can be something that is also challenging, that family stress and having to almost travel the entire country (certainly in the UK) to see relatives for 1 day, almost doesn’t feel worth the effort with a young family.

But we all know and love what this time comes and presents.

Personally I love this time of year, family coming together, the reflecting of the year but more importantly the hope of the future. Always around this time of year I begin to thinking about the future and next steps and what I want to achieve and do for the coming year. It always gives me so much excitement of what can happen.

Whatever you are doing on these final weeks of work make sure you are still getting time for you.

Managing Stress as a Leader

Leadership often means juggling competing priorities, high expectations, and constant change. While a certain level of stress can be motivating, too much can wear you down and impact your effectiveness. Learning to manage stress isn’t just about self-preservation—it’s about ensuring you show up as your best self for your team. But also as a father or mother with young children can be hugely stressful and challenging on work needs and family needs.

As a leader, how you handle stress sets the tone. If you can navigate pressures calmly and thoughtfully, you create a stable environment that helps your team stay focused and resilient. By managing your own stress, you lead by example, fostering a culture where well-being and performance go hand in hand.

Common Stress Triggers and How to Manage Them

I found out too late the issues and challenges with stress as well as the impact this has on us as individuals. The one piece of wisdom I would give to all leaders and fathers today is to ensure you know you. Understand what is your greatest stressor, understand what you can and can’t handle.

Looking at the curve above the one thing I found out about myself was that the more stressed I was the less effective and capable of doing anything I was.

Here are some of the most common triggers in terms of stress and some guidance in how to manage:

1. Excessive Workload

Trigger: Feeling pulled in too many directions, juggling multiple priorities and deadlines, can quickly lead to overwhelm. You may find yourself struggling to keep up or feeling guilty for not getting everything done.

How to Manage:

• Prioritise Ruthlessly: Identify your most important tasks using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix (urgent vs. important; check out my article on this). Focus on what moves the needle and delegate lower-priority tasks.

• Set Boundaries: Clearly define “on” and “off” times. Communicate to your team that you’re not available outside these hours unless it’s truly urgent.

• Time-Block Your Calendar: Allocate blocks of uninterrupted time for focused work. Turning off notifications and closing unnecessary tabs can help you stay on track.

2. Uncertainty and Change

Trigger: Rapid shifts in company direction, new responsibilities, or restructured teams can leave you feeling destabilised and anxious. Lack of clarity about the future can heighten stress levels.

How to Manage:

• Seek Clarity: When faced with change, ask for more information. Speak to your manager, peers, or stakeholders about the reasons behind changes and the expected outcomes.

• Embrace Adaptability: Remind yourself and your team that adaptability is a skill. Celebrate small “wins” in navigating uncertainty, reinforcing a growth mindset.

• Plan for Scenarios: Consider likely outcomes and prepare basic plans for each. Knowing you have a contingency strategy can reduce anxiety.

3. High-Stakes Decision-Making

Trigger: Making decisions that significantly impact the team or organisation can feel daunting. The fear of making the “wrong” choice can escalate stress, especially if decisions must be made quickly.

How to Manage:

• Break Down Decisions: Divide complex decisions into smaller steps or phases. Gather data, solicit input from trusted advisors, and weigh the pros and cons carefully.

• Use a Decision Framework: Apply models like the “3 P’s” (Purpose, People, Process) or a simple cost-benefit analysis to ground your decision in logic rather than emotion.

• Set a Decision Deadline: Avoid overthinking by giving yourself a reasonable timeframe. Once you’ve done the due diligence, trust your reasoning and make the call.

Worth checking out my article on decision making here

4. Team Challenges and Interpersonal Dynamics

Trigger: Conflicts between team members, performance issues, or communication breakdowns can create tension. Feeling responsible for resolving these challenges can be emotionally taxing.

How to Manage:

• Promote Open Communication: Encourage team members to express concerns early. Consider having a regular “issues log” or a designated safe space where challenges can be raised.

• Use Active Listening Techniques: In one-on-ones or conflict resolution meetings, focus on understanding the underlying interests, not just the positions people take. Show empathy and validate their feelings.

• Focus on Solutions, Not Blame: When issues arise, guide the conversation toward solutions. Ask “How can we move forward?” or “What can we do to prevent this from happening again?”

Worth checking out my article on Team Dynamics here

Knowing these triggers and where they come up in your day to day work is hugely important and something for you to be aware of.

Let’s look at some practical tips for managing stress effectively.

Practical Strategies for Managing Stress

It’s very easy to list out and say ‘hey, I’m stressed’ its something else to be able to manage these regularly.

Here are some of the things that I have found to be effective to manage stress:

1. Establish Clear Boundaries:

   • What It Means: Define when you’re “on” and “off” work. Without boundaries, work can spill into personal time, amplifying stress.

   • Action: Set a firm end to your workday. Communicate these boundaries to your team, so they respect your downtime but also gets your prepared for the family life that will be following soon.

2. Prioritize Ruthlessly:

   • What It Means: Not all tasks carry equal importance. Focus on what matters most and let go of the rest.

   • Action: Use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix (urgent vs. important) to identify top priorities and delegate or delay lower-priority tasks.

3. Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care:

   • What It Means: Just a few minutes of deep breathing, a short walk, or a quick stretch break can reset your mindset and reduce tension.

   • Action: Schedule brief “reset” breaks throughout the day. Encourage your team to do the same, showing that well-being is valued. Try the Calm app, I have found this really helpful for setting up my day well but also has some great resources for managing stress and nighttime preparation too.

4. Seek Support and Feedback:

   • What It Means: Sometimes an outside perspective helps put challenges into context.

   • Action: Talk to a mentor, coach, or trusted colleague about what’s causing stress. They may offer new insights or solutions. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone in work then connect with a friend, speaking to someone about this will always help with setting perspective too.

5. Communicate Openly with Your Team:

   • What It Means: Be transparent about challenges you’re facing as a leader, when appropriate. This builds trust and understanding.

   • Action: During team meetings, share any shifts in priorities or explain the reasoning behind tough decisions. Clarity can reduce confusion and stress for everyone. This can also mean other will help with workload and others as a team may well help out.

Using LEAD+M to Manage Stress

• Lead: Show your team how to handle pressure by maintaining composure and seeking solutions rather than panicking.

• Engage: Have conversations with your team about workload and stressors. Listen to their feedback—they might have ideas to improve processes.

• Act with Purpose: Revisit goals and ensure that your actions remain aligned with key priorities. Purpose-driven work feels more manageable and less chaotic.

• Develop: Consider professional development opportunities that enhance resilience or time management skills for both you and your team.

• Mental Health: Recognize that stress and mental health are linked. Encourage open discussions and provide resources so team members know it’s okay to seek help.

Questions to Reflect On:

1. What stressors in my leadership role can I actively reduce or eliminate?

2. How can I restructure my day to include small breaks that help me recharge?

3. Who can I turn to for advice or support when stress levels rise?

Book Recommendation

Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington

Overview:
Thrive challenges the notion that success is defined solely by money and power. Huffington advocates for a “third metric” of success based on well-being, wisdom, and compassion. She offers research, insights, and practical steps to help leaders find balance and reduce stress, ultimately improving their personal and professional lives.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Redefine Success: Move beyond traditional metrics and consider well-being and balance as essential factors in sustained performance.

2. Embrace Mindfulness: Simple practices like meditation or unplugging from technology can significantly reduce stress and enhance clarity.

3. Foster a Culture of Well-Being: By prioritising well-being, leaders create an environment where employees can thrive, driving better results for everyone.

And that’s a wrap for this week!

I hope you have found it useful and have something that you can apply to your new week.

PS 2025 is going to be really exciting, I have three things coming which you may well find useful. Make sure you are subscribed to get early access and information.