Executive Keys To Cope With Stress

Delegation

Skilful delegation is essential to managing time well, getting priorities right, and avoiding unnecessary stress. Equally essential to the delegation process is making sure that those to whom you delegate know exactly what it is that they are expected to do.

Acknowledgment

Give credit where credit is due. Failure to do so is common and can contribute substantially towards feelings of stress in the work place.

Visibility

Make sure that you are accessible and that your staff understand that this is so. Project yourself as cooperative and open to discussion. Even inadvertently isolating yourself can cause stress to both you and to others.

Loyalty

Be loyal to employees, as you would wish them to be loyal to you. Respect confidences, and stand up for employees’ interests when necessary, to create the kind of reassurance that is one of the best protections against adverse stress.

Assertiveness

Keep a high profile by learning to steer a middle course between over-assertiveness - usually not far from aggression -on the one hand, and passivity - easily misunderstood for weakness - on the other. Project yourself as fair and straightforward, and avoid both head-on confrontations or attempts to sweep things under the carpet.

Timing

A lot of stress is generated by working against the clock. Try to avoid attending meetings without giving yourself time to get properly briefed first, or cutting it uncomfortably fine when arriving at the airport for a flight.

Self-Control

You will do a lot to reduce stress levels in both yourself and others by maintaining a determined,  un-panicked demeanor. Try to keep tension signals at bay at all costs - they’re infectious!

Disappointments

If you have reached executive level, the likelihood is that work has assumed considerable importance in your life: there could even be a danger of it assuming excessive importance. So if you have to take what may seem a step sideways rather than up on to the next rung of the ladder, try to see this as a salutary reminder that the job is important but it isn’t everything - and your worth as a human being need not necessarily be judged in work terms.

Sense Of Balance

Dealing with stress often involves sorting out your priorities. Make sure that your home life is a priority with you · it’s precious, and does not deserve to be undermined by the stress of work. In fact, a good home life provides the best antidote of all to damaging stress - so work on it too.

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