Let’s be honest—most stress management advice feels like it was written by someone who’s never had to fire an underperformer, handle a really angry customer, or manage up to a difficult boss while keeping their team motivated.
Leadership stress is different.
Usually, you can’t “just take a mental health day” when your team is counting on you.
You need strategies that work in the real world, with real problems, on busy days when everything seems to be breaking at once.
Here are seven that actually work:
1. Master the 90-Second Rule
When someone triggers you, you have 90 seconds before stress hormones flood your system. Use them. Take three deep breaths, count to ten, or simply say, “Let me think about that.” This isn’t about being fake—it’s about responding instead of reacting.
2. Do an Energy Audit Weekly
List what energizes you versus what drains you. You’ll probably discover you’re spending 80% of your time on energy drains. Start shifting just 20% toward energy-giving activities and watch your stress levels drop. (Email me to get my “energy gains vs energy gains” exercise.)
3. Create “Buffer Zones”
Schedule a 10 to 15-minute buffer between meetings. This isn’t luxury—it’s a necessity. Use these moments to decompress, prepare mentally for what’s next, or simply breathe. Your stress compounds when you rush from crisis to crisis.
4. Practice Strategic No
Every yes to something unimportant is a no to something that matters. Before saying yes, ask: “If I do this, what am I not doing?” Your plate is full because you keep adding to it.
5. Interrupt the Stress Spillover
Your stress affects your team more than you realize. Before walking into meetings or team interactions, ask yourself, “What energy am I broadcasting?” If it’s stressed energy, take two minutes to reset first.
6. Establish Three Non-Negotiables
Identify three things you protect no matter what—maybe it’s lunch, family dinner, or your morning routine. When everything feels chaotic, these three anchors keep you grounded.
7. Use the “Good Enough” Standard
Perfectionism is stress in disguise. Ask yourself: “What’s the minimum viable outcome here?” Sometimes good enough really is good enough, and the extra stress of perfection isn’t worth it.
The Bottom Line: You can’t eliminate workplace stress, but you can change how you respond to it. Start with one strategy this week. Your team—and your sanity—will thank you.
Small changes in how you manage stress create big changes in how you lead.
