Five Questions to Ask About Your Team’s Stress Levels

By Mikaron Fortier-Gruenberg

Consider this: a company’s ability to attract (and keep) top talent and build a positive reputation around its brand depends on whether leadership actively makes space for managing stress levels. This is especially true during times of change, when people feel a loss of control or their commitment to the vision is taking a dip. Taking time for this kind of “mindcare” is crucial when intellectual property and knowledge-workers are the core of a company’s success.

How can a leader shift company culture toward mindfulness? Google appointed a Jolly Good Fellow to lead its Search in Yourself program, which uses the practices of mindfulness to train Emotional Intelligence skills, leading to resilience, positive mindset, and centered leadership. Aetna’s CEO brought in yoga practitioners to guide employees through meditative physical movement, which can greatly improve focus and creativity; studies show that regularly practicing yoga can increase the brain’s precious grey matter.

Here are five questions to help you weigh the readiness of your team to move toward mindfulness:

1. Do the people in your company, unit, or team take their allotted leave?

2. Has your team maintained productivity and met expectations? 

3. Are you and your team able to communicate new strategies and visions clearly?

4. Are behaviors such as perfectionism, control, and anxiety overcome in healthy amounts?

5. Do the people around you in your workplace make healthy choices (e.g. eat nutritious meals, pursue active lifestyles, sleep enough)?

If you answered “No” to any of these, then you may be ready for change. A good first step to enact change is to be a model for your team to follow. In the morning, take a moment to stop and consider your daily goals. Allow there to be one extra beat in your pause. Envision what you want to achieve before a phone call, a presentation, a team meeting. Gradually begin incorporating mindfulness into your conversations with your direct reports.

Change is always a challenge, but the good news is, you don’t have to go it alone. Marquis Leadership can offer you the tools and coaching you need to make this kind of cultural shift, and guide you through the process from beginning to end. If you are ready for a partner in stress management, we are here to help.