Unfortunately, as a leader, you go through stressful situations and, most of the time, you manage them well. Occasionally, you find yourself in a rut and things get out of hand. How you handle stressful situations is a reflection of your leadership. Here are some strategies to keep in mind when it comes to leading under pressure:
Rewards
Leadership recognizes employees and the effort they put into their work. Every employee wants to be noticed. Employees want raises and promotions, but you don’t need hand them out like candy. Just because an employee is constantly nagging for a raise, doesn’t mean they deserve it. Yes, you might feel bad, because Jane is a divorced mother of three and has been working for the company for a year, but she doesn’t do her job well and is always late to work. Why should she get a raise?
Problem Solving
Leadership includes being a master for solving problems. Communicate and brainstorm with employees to find solutions. Changes don’t happen overnight, make an outline of what your goals are for finding specific answers to complicated situations. Having a plan before difficult issues arise will take a huge weight off your shoulders when it comes time to actually solving a problem.
Communication
Good leadership values feedback and appreciates communication. There’s no better way to take the pressure off than getting employees involved. Instead of coming up with solutions about the workplace on your own, ask employees their opinions about what the company’s strength and weaknesses are. Where does the company need improvement and what are some steps they can take to improve weaknesses of the company. Allowing employees to communicate thoughts about different topics in the workplace is a great way to show them you open-minded enough to improve the workplace for them, in return, increasing longevity, so you don’t have to worry about problems, such as, employee turnover.
Engagement
Leadership means guidance and supervising employees. It can become very stressful feeling like you’re a babysitter in the workplace, why not let employees evaluate each other? It takes the burden off you when you allow employees to constructively analyze one another, instead of, you being the one barking orders and giving feedback all the time. Allowing employees to interact with one another will also encourage employee engagement.
Trust
Leadership roles are based on trust, however, if you want employees to trust you, you need to trust them. Micromanaging is never a good idea, if employees were trained properly they don’t need you hovering over them. Meeting deadlines is stressful as it is, but you don’t to constantly check on employees to make sure they are getting it done.
Leadership roles is one of the most stressful elements that make up a workplace. Managing employees and financial decisions are just couple areas that leaders deal with. Anyone can be a leader, but it’s takes a great leader to manage under pressure.
As a leader, what are some ways you manage stressful situations?