Along with all the challenges your employees might be facing in their personal lives, they also must handle pressure at work. As a leader, it’s your job to help them to reduce the stressors. If you manage a fast-paced work environment, that might be easier said than done.

While creating a relaxing, spa-like environment at the workplace probably isn’t a realistic goal, there are steps that managers can take to help their employees avoid pressure paralysis even in the most challenging of work environments.

Maintain an Open Line of Communication

Even your best employees may run into a problem that they can’t overcome on their own. To that end, it’s important that every member of your team feels like they can come to you to discuss issues and ask for support. Whether your employee is struggling to understand something, feeling mistreated, having an issue with another employee, or anything else, they’ll feel safer if you have an open-door policy for communication.

You could also give them the chance to share their thoughts and views via something like an anonymous employee satisfaction survey, and you could check these guys out for examples of key questions you could ask. Employees typically feel more confident sharing info anonymously than when personally identified, and use of an anonymous tool is really valuable for discovering what they really think about the points raised in the survey.

In addition, employees typically work harder when their manager displays kindness and compassion. The idea is simple: when you show you care, employees will be more motivated to do a great job.

Invest in Employee Wellness Programs

It doesn’t matter what field you’re in. Work always comes with some form of stress. Therefore, you can always support your employees with benefits that help them cope. There are multiple ways you can promote wellness in the workplace.

Your best option is offering a comprehensive Employee Wellness Program. This might include things like free gym memberships or maybe even an on-site gym, vouchers for massage therapy, on-site counselors, and financial advisers.

Along with making your team feel valued and looked after, offering this level of employee benefits will help your company’s reputation as well. If you want to attract the top talent in your field, you’ll need to offer an excellent benefits package. Today’s highly qualified workers know they have options, and they’re willing to hold out for the companies that offer the most.

Offer Positive Feedback

A huge aspect of stress is uncertainty. When someone doesn’t know whether they’re doing the right things, they’re going to be plagued with worry. This is another area where a communicative manager can help. There will be plenty of times when you must provide constructive criticism, but make sure to remember to offer positive feedback as well. Both types of feedback are crucial for helping the employee grow and improve in the position.

In a Gallup study of more than 65,000 employees, it was found that when an employee receives positive feedback, they will stay in the position for a longer time. As a manager, you’ll get frustrated at times, but by making a commitment to stay positive and helpful, you’ll strengthen both the individual employee and your overall team.

Make Achievable Goals

Aiming for the stars is a wonderful thing, but sometimes, setting our goals too high can be a recipe for failure. Human beings develop self-esteem through accomplishing goals and overcoming challenges. If you set a goal for your employees too far out of reach, they may never experience that feeling of satisfaction that comes with doing a great job.

Instead of setting unrealistic goals, consider looking at the end goal and then breaking it up into more manageable steps. You’ll get your employees on the path to success while helping to create a feeling of triumph that can motivate them along the way.

 Depending on the nature of your field, allowing employees to set their own goals can also work. At a company meeting, employees can announce the goal they have for themselves and commit to accomplishing that goal in front of the entire group. This allows your employees to set goals they feel comfortable with while gaining the support of the team. It can also show you who is motivated and who isn’t. If one employee consistently sets high goals and another barely bothers to try, you’ll know which one is better to invest in.

Keep a Positive Attitude

No one ever said the life of a manager would be easy. You have a lot on your plate, and you’re bound to get overwhelmed at times. You are only human. However, you’re also a leader, and it’s your responsibility to demonstrate the attitude that should be embraced by your entire team.

When looking at your own managerial skills, think back and remember the early days of your career. Who were your favorite managers? What qualities did they have that made you feel motivated and positive at work? Putting yourself in your employee’s shoes may provide insights that can help you better manage your team.

Part of staying positive is taking the good with the bad. It would be impossible to free your workplace of all stressors. Not only that but doing so might also harm your productivity. A small amount of stress can be motivating. It reminds us that time is of the essence. It helps us stay focused and continue moving forward.

Rather than aiming for a stress-free workplace or trying to be cheery 24 hours a day, work toward creating an environment in which every member of the team has healthy coping options available to them — including you. Exercising, eating healthy, and maintaining your work-life balance can all help you stay positive as a manager.

The Bottom Line

One of the most important things to remember about being a manager is that there will be challenging moments. It’s how you respond to them that will really determine your ability to thrive. You’re leading by example, so if you get upset over small issues that don’t matter, your employees will too.

Stay positive, pick your battles, and remain focused on setting and attaining manageable goals. Over time, you’ll develop a positive reputation as a manager who can handle pressure like a pro, and you’ll play a key role in taking your company’s brand to the top.

Shift Frequency © 2019 – How to Prepare Your Employees
to Handle Pressure