Leadership can be stressful. But effective leaders use stress as a constructive force rather than allowing it to become a destructive one. Stress occurs when conditions produce awareness that some action is required to satisfy a need, to solve a problem, or to prevent some undesirable result. Without constructive stress, motivation would be at an extremely low level, and very little would ever be accomplished. Adopt the attitude that stress is a challenge to your creativity — a welcome opportunity to perform well. Adjust your language to reflect this attitude. Constructive stress inspires people to act, to achieve, and to utilize more of their full potential for success.
Here is one of the most effective tools to minimize destructive stress. What is your business and what is none of your business? This is a lesson in boundaries. You can stress yourself out being in places you don’t belong and you cannot control. You cannot control people, places, and things. What you can control is yourself and the choices you make.
1. You see and or overhear a confrontation in your workplace between two adults which has nothing to do with your responsibilities or you personally. What do you do?
a. Grab your whistle and black and white striped shirt to referee this fighting match.
b. Take sides for your friend or with the person you agree with in the situation.
c. Take notes so that you can gossip with as many other co-workers, friends, and family members about what transpired from your point of view.
d. Tell the boss.
e. None of the above. Go on with your work. If it is too distracting, move to a new location or put your ear plugs or ear buds in to drown out the noise. If you cannot do this, politely and I mean politely ask them to take their discussion elsewhere.
2. You tend to procrastinate a project/assignment/call etc. You are tired, you don’t want to do it for some reason. What do you do?
a. Take it home with you (knowing full well that your briefcase never opens at home).
b. Go head down and drive through the task coming up stressed, crabby, and exhausted – but the task is done.
c. Pawn off the task to someone else who really should not be doing this work for you.
d. Leave it for tomorrow (even though this is the third tomorrow and the task is still not done today).
e. None of the above. Take a break, a brief walk, get a cool drink of water, fresh cup of coffee, pet the dog/cat for those who home office, and come back to your desk.
i. Clearly define the plan of action on a piece of paper.
ii. Identify the priorities and the outcomes
iii. Take one step at a time without focusing on the next step
iv. Celebrate the small successes as each step is complete
v. When the task is complete – repeat Step e. once again.
Keep Your Perspective
Remember why you made the effort to clear out the stress producing mind clutter of old attitudes, old work habits, and old problems. Strive to enhance your enjoyment of life and your productivity by keeping all areas of your personal and business life in proper perspective with proper boundaries and choices.
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