For many employees, work only adds to the huge pile of stressors they already deal with every day — about financial, relationship, health, family, or other issues. The American Psychological Association reports 41% of employees feel stressed out during the work day. It’s no secret that chronic stress takes a big toll on physical and mental well-being, not to mention job performance.
Managers wield powerful influence over employee morale, workloads, team communication, and job satisfaction. They can serve as motivators and role models to promote healthy behaviors that reduce stress; here’s how:
- Support healthy habits. Managers who encourage wellness program participation — along with teamwork, job autonomy, vacation time, appropriate use of sick leave, and access to work/life/health benefits — help create conditions where employees can thrive. Those who always work after-hours and never take vacations imply that employees are expected to follow suit. Managers who exercise on lunch breaks, visibly participate in wellness events, make good nutrition easy in the workplace, and keep workloads/stress levels manageable cultivate a workplace that values good health.
- Improve team communication. Many stressors, on and off the job, result from communication breakdowns. Managers can train to sharpen their own skills, then coach their teams in active listening, body language, word choice, and conflict resolution. Employee assistance programs are a good resource for this kind of training. When communication improves at work and at home, stress levels drop.
- Make fun a vital part of the work day. Even the most serious work has a lighter side. Managers can lead the way in viewing stressful times through the lens of appropriate humor. Laughter builds camaraderie and relieves tension; sharing a smile or a chuckle makes difficult tasks more bearable. Having people wear a favorite team’s colors on game day, or decorate work stations for holidays may sound minor, but it boosts spirits and makes for a happier workplace.
- Show a genuine interest in people. Workers want to be seen as more than just cogs in the wheel — they want to be respected and known as individuals. Managers can strengthen team rapport by getting to know employees. Asking about family life, swapping stories about weekend adventures, and going for a walk together at break time are good ways to get started. Leaders who encourage team members to learn about each other foster a culture of well-being and feeling connected. Underscoring the importance of good work relationships, one study finds workers who experience high levels of supervisor support and team cohesion have less on-the-job stress and greater job satisfaction.
Whether positively or negatively, managers influence the workplace. By taking intentional steps to reduce stress and cultivate an atmosphere of well-being, they can help employees stress less, perform better, and enjoy life more.
Dean Witherspoon
Chief collaborator, nudger, tinkerer; leads the most inventive team creating well-being and sustainable living programs. Reach out if you’d like to talk about employee well-being, emotional fitness, or eco-friendly living.