Managing Stress in Your Team

Stress is affecting more people than ever.

If stress levels get too high in your team, people will be less productive, conflict will increase, and absence levels will rise.

So, what do you need to know and do about it? Stress expert, Professor Cary Cooper, says there are three types of stress symptoms to look out for.

Behavioral Change

Team members might not seem themselves. They may be less sociable. Be irritable. Or, take less interest in their work.

Physiological Reactions

These vary from person to person, but can include insomnia, headaches, stomach problems, palpitations, and nausea.

More Serious Health Problems

Such as depression, high blood pressure, and even cardiovascular diseases can develop if reactions to stress are left unchecked.

There are many underlying causes of stress. Some of the most common causes are job insecurity, unrealistic workloads, organizational changes, and conflict with colleagues.

But remember, personal issues like relationship problems, money worries or carer responsibilities can have a big impact on stress levels, too.

If you suspect a team member is becoming stressed, take them aside for an informal chat. Use open questions and active listening to understand the problem.

Is it work-related or personal? Do they have too much on their plate? Are they being bullied? Or is there something even you are doing? Remember, there may be more than one factor involved.

Most importantly, show compassion, don't pry, and respect their confidentiality. Once you've unpacked the problem, decide on the best way forward together. For example, consider changing the team member's workload, extending deadlines, or identifying training or coaching needs.

Discuss wider support if relevant, such as your HR department, counseling services or local support groups. Or even encourage them to talk to a healthcare professional.

The most important thing is to recognize when team members aren't themselves. And to regularly check in with informal catch-ups. Also encourage them to come to you with any issues or concerns.

That's the key to a happy, productive and, most importantly, unstressed team environment.

To learn more about surviving a stressful job, see the article that accompanies this video.