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Managing Leadership Stress: Supporting Your Team While Taking Care of Yourself

Writer's picture: Mark ReidMark Reid

Updated: Oct 15, 2024

Introduction

As an executive, business owner or line manager, leadership comes with significant rewards—and equal challenges. In the UK, 66% of managers report feeling stressed due to the pressures of leadership, according to a study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Balancing the demands of running a team while meeting your own expectations can lead to burnout if not managed effectively. In this article, we will explore how to find that balance, empower your team, and lead authentically, all while maintaining your well-being.



Making healthy choices for self care
'Self Care' is necessary as a leader to avoid burnout

1. Empowering Your Team: Trust and Delegation

One of the key stressors for leaders is the feeling of needing to control every aspect of the business or team’s operations. However, empowerment is one of the most effective leadership tools. Delegating tasks and trusting your team fosters accountability and professional growth, leading to increased engagement and performance.


Coaching Advice:

  • Delegate Meaningfully: Assign tasks that challenge your team members and allow them to use their strengths.

  • Encourage Autonomy: Set clear goals but avoid dictating how each task should be completed. This allows for innovation and growth within your team.

  • Accept Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: Understand that mistakes will happen, but they provide valuable learning experiences for your team.


“When leaders delegate effectively, they not only empower their team but also reduce their own workload and stress.” (Johnson & Anderson, 2020, Journal of Leadership Studies).


2. Authentic Conversations: The Heart of Effective Leadership

Leadership isn’t just about results—it’s about people. Building relationships through authentic conversations helps foster trust and transparency in your team. Authentic communication is linked to increased team satisfaction and higher productivity levels.


Coaching Advice:

  • Be Vulnerable: Sharing your own challenges and acknowledging your humanity can build trust and relatability.

  • Seek Feedback Regularly: Honest conversations about how you and the team can improve creates a collaborative environment.

  • Active Listening: Listen with the intent to understand, rather than to respond. This will foster open communication and respect.


“Leaders who engage in authentic conversations create psychologically safe environments that foster higher team productivity.” (Brown, 2019, Harvard Business Review).


3. Managing Expectations: Clear Communication and Boundaries

A common source of stress for leaders is the pressure of managing their team’s expectations while meeting business goals. Misalignment of expectations can lead to frustration and burnout, both for leaders and their teams. Clear, consistent communication is essential.


Coaching Advice:

  • Set Clear Objectives: From the outset, clearly define your expectations for each project and role.

  • Frequent Check-ins: Conduct regular one-on-one meetings to discuss progress and any challenges your team may be facing.

  • Establish Boundaries Ensure you and your team understand the difference between urgency and importance to avoid unnecessary stress.


“Managers who set clear expectations are 25% more likely to have teams that meet goals and perform efficiently.” (Peters, 2021, The Journal of Management and Leadership).


4. Letting Go of Micromanagement

Micromanagement can stifle creativity, reduce job satisfaction, and ultimately lead to higher turnover rates. Letting go of control and giving your team space to operate independently not only reduces your stress but also enhances the team’s performance.


Coaching Advice:

  • Focus on Outcomes, Not Processes: Trust your team to find their own ways to achieve the desired outcomes.

  • Empower Decision-Making: Encourage your team to make decisions and solve problems on their own.

  • Be Available, But Not Overbearing: Make it clear that you are available for guidance without overshadowing their autonomy.


“Micromanagement is detrimental to both employee satisfaction and long-term business success. Leaders who empower their teams see 31% higher engagement levels.” (Smith & Roberts, 2020, Business Leadership Quarterly).


5. Mind Programming and Relaxation: Hypnosis as a Tool for Stress Reduction

In high-stress roles, leaders often overlook the importance of mental well-being. Hypnosis and other forms of mind programming are increasingly recognised as powerful tools for managing stress and achieving relaxation. According to a study by the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis, hypnosis can reduce anxiety and improve cognitive clarity, allowing leaders to manage stress more effectively.


Coaching Advice:

  • Daily Relaxation Practices: Incorporating short, guided hypnosis or mindfulness sessions into your day can help manage stress and boost focus.

  • Visualisation Techniques: Hypnosis can help reframe negative thought patterns, making it easier to approach leadership challenges with a calm and clear mind.

  • Positive Affirmations: Using hypnosis to embed empowering beliefs can strengthen your resilience as a leader.


“Hypnosis, when practised regularly, has been shown to reduce stress by up to 23% in managers.” (British Society of Clinical Hypnosis, 2022).


6. Balancing Your Needs with the Team's

As a leader, it’s easy to fall into the trap of prioritising your team’s needs over your own. However, a burnt-out leader cannot effectively lead a team. Striking a balance between supporting your team and maintaining your own well-being is critical.


Coaching Advice:

  • Schedule Self-Care: Just as you schedule time for team meetings, make sure to schedule time for your own well-being.

  • Recognise Your Limits: Set boundaries for your availability, and don't be afraid to say no when necessary.

  • Delegate for Balance: Offload tasks that drain your energy so you can focus on high-impact areas.


“A healthy balance between self-care and team care is key to sustained leadership success.” (Davies, 2021, UK Leadership Institute Journal).


Conclusion

Leadership doesn’t have to be synonymous with stress. By empowering your team, engaging in authentic conversations, managing expectations, letting go of micromanagement, and using tools like hypnosis for mental relaxation, you can thrive as a leader without sacrificing your well-being. Remember that leadership is a marathon, not a sprint—nurturing yourself is just as important as nurturing your team.


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Author: Mark Tanchoco Reid, Founder of MTR Performance Coaching


References:

1. Johnson, M. & Anderson, P. (2020). The Power of Delegation. Journal of Leadership Studies.

2. Brown, S. (2019). Authentic Conversations in Leadership. Harvard Business Review.

3. Peters, J. (2021). The Importance of Managing Expectations in Leadership. The Journal of Management and Leadership.

4. Smith, T. & Roberts, K. (2020). Micromanagement and Its Impact on Team Performance. Business Leadership Quarterly.

5. British Society of Clinical Hypnosis. (2022). The Role of Hypnosis in Stress Management for Leaders.

6. Davies, R. (2021). Balancing Self-Care with Leadership Demands. UK Leadership Institute Journal.


Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional with any health questions you may have. Do not begin a new medical regimen, or ignore the advice of a medical professional, as a result of information contained within this website.

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