A to E of Stress Busting Leadership
A to E of Stress Busting Leadership
Stress of the employees negatively affects the team, leaders and the organization. The productiHow do you build a calmness in a team which is under pressure? How does a leader play a calming role to ensure that the final touch down is colorful as well as enjoyable? Does the leader add pressure or pleasure of the finish line ? Because the next race will start soon and keep the team energized!
The A,B,C,D,E of what the leaders should when the employees are under stress.
1. Alertness of the Leader
In the military, the alertness of the commander proactively delayers the stress that the soldiers may face in the near the future. Leaders clear understanding the environment, the process, the goals enable the team members to know the action from their end. The maze through they may have to walk, run is cleared by the leader and it makes it less stressful for the team. They may run over landmines in the form of small crisis, unforeseen problems but the direction set by the leader is clear and they see the end. The alertness of the leader in setting the direction, anticipation of hurdles will ensure smooth rides over the speed bumps.
Rosalynn Carter said "A leader takes the people where they want to go. A great leader takes the people where they don't necessarily want to go but ought to be" and with a smile in the end!
2. Belief of the Leaders
Joris Claeys says leadership is about believing in oneself and in the strength of the team.Achieveing success starts with having confidence and self belief. Achievement oriented self belief comes through knowledge, exposure, experience and positivity. This Self belief will naturally permeate into the team and build confidence in the team. All great leaders - Martin Luther King, Gandhiji, Nelson Mandela believed in the power of the people who worked with them. These made them to believe in themselves and built positivity and empowerment. Many business leaders believed in their teams and trusted that they will deliver. This confidence and belief on the team, not only soothes the nerves of the leader but on the team as well.
3. Calmness of the Leader
The leader is definitely under pressure to deliver and finish the project. The stakes may be high and he is dependent on the team for personal or organizational achievement. This is a time when the leader has to take a deep breath and put on a smile. When the team knows that the leader is stressed or on tenter hooks, it is passed on to the members. Stress is contagious and it catches faster than a common cold! Leaders are not immune to stress but have to effectively manage it as Eustress rather than distress. How can they destress themselves? Ophra Winfrey goes to a quite place takes deep breath and focus inwards. Steve Jobs tried to build a clear mind and take the tasks in small bytes. Jeff Bezos says he laughs a lot to destress himself.If you are that leader take a break, have a cup of coffee, laugh it out with friends come back to desk with clear mind and abundant calmness!
4. Determination of the Leader
Anna Dentoon says, "By definition, leaders are the first to stick their neck out, to dare to dream, to set a compelling vision. If the leaders are fearless in their charge, employees will have the courage to get on board and try new things" Successful leaders have a clear big picture, determination to achieve them and more importantly take the team along with them. They set clear goals for themselves and the team and work persistently towards them. When a team member back tracks, falls behind, the leaders talk to them, encourages them and kindles the spirit of achievement. They understand and manage complexities but at the same time gives clear, lucid directions for the team to make them an unstoppable band marching towards the goals.
5. Empathy of the Leader
Successful leaders are emotionally intelligent and empathize with the team and inspire them. Empathy matters in workplace. Its the biggest stress buster. It is a powerful antidote for stress. Empathy begins with active listening - listening attentively and calmly to the team member to know their perspective. One the team member has been heard, the leader has to respond and not react. Reaction comes instantaneously and without much thought. An empathetic leader calmly responds to the views - he may agree or disagree with the view tabled but how it is said matters more than what is said. The words, body language can calm the team member or unnerve him or her. When working under pressure it is not easy for the leader to show empathy but Nour Kteily, an associate professor of management and organizations says, “is an important part of what makes us human.”
Leadership which has to calm the team should also be fair. The accomplishments of goals is essential for the larger organization. A fine balance is to be drawn. To quote Aristotle, "Anybody can become angry, that's easy. But to be angry at the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, in the right way is not easy"
The A,B,C,D,E of what the leaders should when the employees are under stress.
1. Alertness of the Leader
In the military, the alertness of the commander proactively delayers the stress that the soldiers may face in the near the future. Leaders clear understanding the environment, the process, the goals enable the team members to know the action from their end. The maze through they may have to walk, run is cleared by the leader and it makes it less stressful for the team. They may run over landmines in the form of small crisis, unforeseen problems but the direction set by the leader is clear and they see the end. The alertness of the leader in setting the direction, anticipation of hurdles will ensure smooth rides over the speed bumps.
Rosalynn Carter said "A leader takes the people where they want to go. A great leader takes the people where they don't necessarily want to go but ought to be" and with a smile in the end!
2. Belief of the Leaders
Joris Claeys says leadership is about believing in oneself and in the strength of the team.Achieveing success starts with having confidence and self belief. Achievement oriented self belief comes through knowledge, exposure, experience and positivity. This Self belief will naturally permeate into the team and build confidence in the team. All great leaders - Martin Luther King, Gandhiji, Nelson Mandela believed in the power of the people who worked with them. These made them to believe in themselves and built positivity and empowerment. Many business leaders believed in their teams and trusted that they will deliver. This confidence and belief on the team, not only soothes the nerves of the leader but on the team as well.
3. Calmness of the Leader
The leader is definitely under pressure to deliver and finish the project. The stakes may be high and he is dependent on the team for personal or organizational achievement. This is a time when the leader has to take a deep breath and put on a smile. When the team knows that the leader is stressed or on tenter hooks, it is passed on to the members. Stress is contagious and it catches faster than a common cold! Leaders are not immune to stress but have to effectively manage it as Eustress rather than distress. How can they destress themselves? Ophra Winfrey goes to a quite place takes deep breath and focus inwards. Steve Jobs tried to build a clear mind and take the tasks in small bytes. Jeff Bezos says he laughs a lot to destress himself.If you are that leader take a break, have a cup of coffee, laugh it out with friends come back to desk with clear mind and abundant calmness!
4. Determination of the Leader
Anna Dentoon says, "By definition, leaders are the first to stick their neck out, to dare to dream, to set a compelling vision. If the leaders are fearless in their charge, employees will have the courage to get on board and try new things" Successful leaders have a clear big picture, determination to achieve them and more importantly take the team along with them. They set clear goals for themselves and the team and work persistently towards them. When a team member back tracks, falls behind, the leaders talk to them, encourages them and kindles the spirit of achievement. They understand and manage complexities but at the same time gives clear, lucid directions for the team to make them an unstoppable band marching towards the goals.
5. Empathy of the Leader
Successful leaders are emotionally intelligent and empathize with the team and inspire them. Empathy matters in workplace. Its the biggest stress buster. It is a powerful antidote for stress. Empathy begins with active listening - listening attentively and calmly to the team member to know their perspective. One the team member has been heard, the leader has to respond and not react. Reaction comes instantaneously and without much thought. An empathetic leader calmly responds to the views - he may agree or disagree with the view tabled but how it is said matters more than what is said. The words, body language can calm the team member or unnerve him or her. When working under pressure it is not easy for the leader to show empathy but Nour Kteily, an associate professor of management and organizations says, “is an important part of what makes us human.”
Leadership which has to calm the team should also be fair. The accomplishments of goals is essential for the larger organization. A fine balance is to be drawn. To quote Aristotle, "Anybody can become angry, that's easy. But to be angry at the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, in the right way is not easy"
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