While the new year can feel like a fresh start, it may also bring considerable stress for your team members.
Post-holiday blues, heightened expectations, financial strain, and looming political developments are just a few external stressors your employees might be facing. And especially right now with the devastating California fires, a whole new layer of personal hardship has been unfolding, making it even more challenging to perform at work. These difficulties are often compounded by internal company factors, such as directional shifts, corporate restructuring, or ambitious team goals – all of which can significantly impact performance. As it is, 44% of employees feel burned out at work, according to a recent study by The Society for Human Resource Management.
Your role as a leader is crucial in navigating challenging times while still achieving business objectives. Striking a balance between empathy and effective task management can make you a catalyst for motivation and a model of resilience, even in the most turbulent times. And if you’re successful at showing your employees how to work through stress, they’re 21x more likely to be engaged, per a study by ADP Research.
So, how can you support your team through difficult periods while still maintaining strong performance?
Acknowledge stressors
Ignoring external challenges won’t make them go away. Your team may be silently grappling with real concerns, and simply acknowledging what they’re going through and making space for their feelings can alleviate much of their stress. You can do this by giving your employees time to express their feelings, whether in your one-on-ones or team meetings, to make it clear that it matters to you. Workers who feel cared for are 3.2x more likely to be happy at work, per LinkedIn’s Employee Wellbeing Report, so these kinds of efforts not only alleviate tension, they also enhance satisfaction, reduce anxiety, and build trust between you and your team.
Reduce stress through structure
Sometimes the causes of stressors are beyond anyone’s control, but creating structures to help your team manage their stress can make a significant difference. Since pressure often comes from a fear of the unknown, think about giving your team tangible touchpoints they can rely on. For example, if your team has undergone a restructuring and has had to take on more or different projects as a result, you can help alleviate stress by setting clear priorities and timelines and offering guidance and support whenever needed. This way, they understand what to expect and can feel a greater sense of control over how they manage their days.
Understand your employees’ perspectives
In tough times, do your best to listen more and to ask thoughtful questions in a way that validates your team’s experiences. For example, if your employee feels apprehensive about taking on a big assignment right now, try to get to the root cause of their stress. Do they feel inadequate? Does this project not support the direction they want to take their career in? Do they simply have too much on their plate? Take some time to try and understand the issues from their perspective so that you can respond accordingly and effectively help them navigate through whatever’s causing their stress.
Set the right tone on your team
59% of employees report at least one mental health problem, per a McKinsey study, and many may not have the personal tools or resources to help themselves. As their leader, you can set the tone for stress management and healthy work-life balance by encouraging your team members to take breaks during the day to recharge and disconnect from work at reasonable times. On this note, try not to contact your employees after hours or while they’re on vacation, as it sends conflicting messages. And no matter how ambitious your projects and goals might be, make it clear that well-being still needs to be prioritized. Remind your team that sick days are for physical or mental health-related issues and that if they feel they need a breather, they should make sure to use those days.
Show appreciation
When your team is under pressure, taking a moment to genuinely acknowledge their hard work can make a world of difference. Employees who are regularly recognized are 5x more likely to feel valued and appreciated, according to a joint study by Globoforce and WorkHuman. So, especially in more challenging times, be intentional about finding opportunities to celebrate the small wins and personal achievements that demonstrate their resilience. Whether it’s a heartfelt thank you, a public shoutout in a team meeting, or starting your one-on-one with some words of gratitude, these simple gestures can remind them they are seen and supported and may replace some of their stress with positive sentiment.
