There is a misconception that working harder's the most effective approach to handle the pressures of being, in a management position. Many believe that longer work hours and multitasking can improve productivity. However this belief is flawed. Research on stress has shown that pushing oneself hard does not always lead to performance. In fact it often results in overwork and burnout.
While additional pressure might initially yield some improvements performance eventually reaches a plateau. May even decline due to the increased pressures associated with overworking. When faced with crises, industry volatility, societal shifts or workplace pressures causing stress it becomes crucial for leaders to focus on developing resilience – the ability to bounce back from obstacles and setbacks.
Experiencing pressure or stress narrows. Increases the likelihood of flawed reasoning. It also triggers your bodys stress response mechanism, releasing chemicals and hormones. In todays volatile world building resilience as a leader is essential.
The question then arises; how can one cultivate resilience?
As a step it can be beneficial to identify situations in which you feel excessively pressured. What are the triggers, for these feelings?
Once you have an understanding of the factors that contribute to stress and the sense of pressure you can then focus on developing your resilience reserves.
Change your perspective.
As a leader one effective way to build resilience is, by reframing situations. It's important to understand what triggers your stress and find ways to view the situation when you feel overwhelmed threatened or in conflict. Positive self talk can be incredibly powerful when leading in challenging circumstances. Reframing involves looking at a situation from an angle and considering possibilities. For instance if a valued team member resigns you could focus on the loss. Choose to see it as an opportunity to bring in talent. You can ask yourself some questions;
"What're the advantages of this situation?".
What might I be missing in my interpretation of the situation?"
Our programs offer opportunities for you to enhance your resilience by encouraging you to reconsider your circumstances and explore perspectives on both the situation itself and how you respond to it.
Prioritize sleep.
We all know that sleep has benefits and can make you a productive leader. However many people, in leadership roles are still willing to sacrifice sleep in order to accomplish work. However sleep plays a role as it enables the brain to transition from absorbing information, to encoding, processing and integrating the days experiences in a manner that makes it accessible for future application. Sleep acts as a mechanism, for cultivating resilience as a leader, which is often underutilized. Sufficient sleep can lead to improved focus and imagination—two qualities required in leadership positions.