According to the Gallup Global Workplace Report 2024, 41% of employees worldwide are experiencing high stress levels at work and this figure has been on the rise since the past decade. This highlights that stress is no longer just a personal issue; it has become a problem affecting entire organizations.
Stress has severe consequences, including burnout, absenteeism, decreased productivity, and an unhealthy workplace culture. Having a weak and unhealthy workplace culture negatively impacts employees as well as the company.
This blog post highlights the importance of leadership practices in determining employees’ stress levels. In companies with poor leadership practices (e.g., low employee engagement), employees are 60% more likely to feel stressed than those in well-managed organizations.
Employees working under poor management show 30% higher stress levels compared to unemployed individuals.
These figures highlight the pivotal role leaders and management practices play in employee’s well-being. Therefore, as a leader, you can reduce immediate stress within your team and implement long-term, preventive strategies.
Read this brief guide till the end to learn about the actionable steps to promote employee well-being through thoughtful leadership while building a sustainable, productive workplace culture.
Key Workplace Stressors
Understanding the root causes of workplace stress is the first step. Research identifies six core areas responsible for most stress at work:
- Demands: Excessive or unclear tasks overwhelm employees.
- Relationships: Conflicts or toxic workplace environments strain collaboration.
- Support: Lack of resources or feedback amplifies uncertainty.
- Control: Limited influence over decisions or processes leads to frustration.
- Role clarity: Ambiguous roles and undefined expectations cause conflicts.
- Change: Frequent restructuring or poor communication breeds insecurity.
These stressors are rarely subtle and often manifest themselves as clear warning signs within teams. Leaders must recognize these early on and take the appropriate action to fix them.
Warning Signs of Team Stress
- Persistent conflicts and unresolved disagreements
- Declining willingness to help and reduced collaboration
- Low team cohesion and increased competitiveness
- Underhanded behavior or overt hostility
- Formation of cliques or blame-shifting
- Frequent errors and inaccuracies
- Agitated communication
- Rising absenteeism and sick leaves
If several of these indicators are present, it’s time to act. Preventive stress management will improve team dynamics and enhance long-term productivity and well-being.
Leading by Example
A Gallup study examined how leaders assess their performance and how employees actually perceive it, aimed at fostering better-functioning teams. For this purpose, 2,729 managers and 12,710 employees in the U.S. were surveyed, basing their evaluations on 20 leadership tasks.
The analysis revealed significant discrepancies between managers’ and employees’ perceptions, particularly regarding recognition and regular feedback. Nearly 60% of managers are convinced they sufficiently recognize their teams for good work. However, only 35% of employees share this view. Final findings showed that either recognition occurs less frequently than managers think or it is done in ways that don’t resonate with employees.
Another Gallup-Workhuman study found that only 12% of employees are asked how they prefer to be recognized. Leaders first need to develop a better understanding of their employees’ individual needs to adjust and optimize their leadership style.
Practical Stress Management Strategies for Leaders
- Hold regular one-on-one conversations:
Leaders should schedule weekly check-ins with each team member and make the most of this time by addressing challenges, setting priorities, and offering support. Moreover, it is important to show empathy for personal struggles and explore flexible solutions. - Maximize in-office days:
For hybrid employees, the management should schedule personal check-ins, creative workshops, or team-building activities on in-office days. As a result of these shared experiences, collaboration and team bonds are strengthened. - Model healthy stress management:
As a leader, you can demonstrate your approach to handling stress by taking well-communicated breaks or managing the workload proactively. Last but not least, to prevent passing on stress to your team, seek support if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Why Stress Management Pays Off
Gallup studies indicated that engaged employees exhibit higher resilience and better mental well-being. They feel more optimistic, experience more positive emotions, and are better able to handle challenges.
For leaders, this means that investing in stress prevention not only strengthens the team but also ensures the long-term success of the entire organization.
Authentic leadership, regular conversations, and open communication create an environment where employees can reach their full potential without feeling burnt out.
In our article “Stress Management as a Productivity Lever” you can learn more about the connection between stress management and productivity. Stress management starts with you—and positively impacts the entire team. Starting today, take responsibility for driving meaningful change with your leadership position!
Digital Support with atwork: Rethinking Stress Management
With the right tools, you can incorporate stress management strategies into daily workflows effortlessly. atwork provides a digital platform for modern, efficient, and sustainable stress management.
Key Benefits of atwork:
- Optimize employee surveys: atwork enables you to use pre-built, scientifically validated questionnaires and save time.
- Leverage actionable insights: Helps analyze employee feedback instantly and implement changes.
- Develop impactful action plans: Now you can create initiatives with just a few clicks.
- Track progress and impact: Allows you to monitor HR and business KPIs through interactive dashboards.
atwork helps businesses integrate stress management into their culture, improving both employee health and productivity. An organization can benefit from healthier, more engaged teams by actively engaging with employees and implementing data-driven measures with the help of atwork.
Reduce Stress with atwork: Build a Healthier, More Productive Team
Preventive stress management is no longer optional; it’s a must-have strategy. Healthy, resilient employees are more productive, motivated, and innovative. By investing in employee well-being today, companies ensure a motivated and high-performing workforce, gaining a lasting competitive advantage.
Stress won’t wait — neither should you.
Take the initiative with atwork to foster a healthier, more productive team.
