5 Ways Leaders Can Support Team Wellbeing During High Stress
As leaders, it’s crucial to recognize the impact of stress on our teams and take proactive steps to support their health and wellbeing. Here are five effective strategies leaders can implement to help their teams navigate through high-stress periods:
1. Foster Open Communication
Open and transparent communication is the foundation of a supportive workplace. Encourage your team to express their concerns, challenges, and feelings without fear of judgment. Regular check-ins can provide a safe space for employees to share their thoughts. By actively listening and showing empathy, you can better understand their needs and offer appropriate support.
Try connecting individually with your team members by taking your check-ins to-go with a walk-and-talk meeting. Walking meetings can boost creativity and problem-solving abilities as well as help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase energy levels.
2. Promote Work-Life Integration
In times of high stress, it’s easy for work to spill over into personal time. As a leader, you can set an example by promoting a healthy work-life integration. Encourage your team to set boundaries and disconnect from work after hours. Consider implementing flexible working hours or remote work options to help employees manage their time more effectively and reduce stress.
Be sure to communicate expectations with your team members for their time and energy, especially when deadlines are looming. Lead by example by adhering to your own expectations and letting your team members know that they are not expected respond to emails, etc., during off hours.
3. Encourage Regular Breaks
Encouraging your team to take regular breaks is essential for maintaining productivity and reducing stress. Recommend that employees take short 15-20 minute breaks every 90-120 minutes to rest and recharge. These breaks can be as simple as a walk around the office, a few minutes of stretching, or a quick meditation session. Regular breaks help prevent burnout and improve overall focus and efficiency.
Build breaks into your own meeting schedule so that your team sees you modeling this behavior. This is especially true if your meetings are mostly virtual. One of my worst experiences was after COVID when virtual meetings were scheduled back-to-back with no break time. Things were already stressful, and trying to figure out how to get to the bathroom and back before the next meeting added to the stress.
4. Provide Access to Mental Health Resources
Mental health is just as important as physical health, especially during stressful times. Ensure that your team has access to mental health resources, such as counseling services, employee assistance programs, or mental health apps. Promote these resources regularly and remind your team that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Be open and honest with your team if you have used or are using these types of resources, as this will help normalize them.
5. Recognize and Reward Efforts
Acknowledging your team’s hard work and dedication can significantly boost morale and reduce stress. Take the time to recognize individual and team achievements, both big and small. Whether it’s through verbal praise, awards, or personalized notes, showing gratitude can make employees feel valued and motivated to continue performing at their best.
A small gesture goes a long way in letting your employees know that their efforts are seen and appreciated. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to remain motivated, engaged, and committed to their work. This positive reinforcement can reduce stress, increase job satisfaction, and ultimately enhance overall productivity.
Conclusion
As a leader, your actions and attitudes towards stress management can have a profound impact on your team’s wellbeing. By fostering open communication, promoting work-life balance, encouraging regular breaks, providing access to mental health resources, and recognizing efforts, you can create a supportive environment where your team can thrive, even during the most challenging times.
Remember, a healthy and happy team is a productive team. Investing in your employees’ wellbeing is not only the right thing to do but also a smart business strategy that will pay off in the long run.
Comment below and let us know what other strategies you’ve used to take care of your employees during times of high stress.
