Managerial roles are often associated with increased stress. Leading subordinates, deciding on the direction of the team, or overseeing major projects are all responsibilities that can easily trigger stress in anyone. A good and effective manager must therefore learn to manage stressful situations. However, not everyone succeeds in doing so. Below are the most common reasons why some team leaders fail to manage stress, along with tips on how to cope with stressful situations more effectively.
Tendency to micro-manage
According to Forbes, unnecessary stress is often caused by a manager’s tendency to keep all the work of their subordinates under control. If a manager engages in micro-management and is accustomed to having perfect oversight of everything and making all decisions, once a period arises in which more events occur and tasks must be handled quickly, the manager experiences stress. The solution is to give subordinates space for independent work and to learn to trust their own judgment more.
A culture in which perfectionism prevails and in which mistakes and weakness are not admitted
A manager may also experience stress because a culture prevails within the team in which mistakes are not admitted and weakness is not tolerated. As a result, when the manager feels overwhelmed, they hesitate to ask their team for help. Perfectionism and pressure for unrealistic performance lead to unnecessary and unhealthy stress.
Absence of transparent and healthy communication within the team
A team in which communication is transparent, in which misunderstandings and unfair practices do not occur, and in which people are not afraid to ask others for help, is far better equipped to manage stress. If a team is not accustomed to effective communication and hostility or unwillingness to speak to one another prevails, stressful situations arise far more frequently and are also much more difficult to resolve.
Decision making without regard for the long term vision
A manager who makes impulsive decisions without regard for the long term strategy of the team is also more prone to stress. If a team leader does not take long term outlook and planning into account when leading the team, they risk that both they and their team will frequently find themselves in tense and stressful situations.
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