A recent study by OnePoll for Axa PPP found that almost half of Britain’s senior managers are under near constant stress with an overwhelming majority (92%) of senior managers admitting that they had suffered from stress at some point.

One of the most significant consequences of a leader being under too much pressure is that they lose their ability to see what is really happening in their business and may compound this issue with self-denial that they are in any way at fault.

In leaders who find themselves under pressure their levels of cortisol increase, their behaviour changes, their professionalism and respect for self and others can falter, their relationships can become strained and the quality of their decision-making can decline. It is a disastrous situation and it can have very serious consequences for many people.

When people are operating under great pressure they can make basic errors and ignore the truisms of life, so the guidance for removing excessive, damaging stress is going to sound like common sense – as it should.

1. Leaders need to have a greater awareness of self and others. Without self- awareness a leader cannot see how to best serve his or her people and themselves. They need to empower others by having confidence in them and delegating to them. This will free up the leader to focus on what they are best suited to do.

2. They should create space for thinking. This is about making time to think and sometimes it is space that is needed too - get away from the desk or even the office to reduce distractions. Take one, two but no more than three issues and take the time to consider without the risk of interruption. Then discuss the resultant thinking with peers. This will achieve focus and clear the mind of the weight of issues, which will always cloud the brain and compound pressure.

3. Leaders need to have clear and simple direction. Excess pressure is usually associated with unclear priorities and therefore unclear direction. Loss of focus on direction can be fatal and is of itself an added pressure. Leaders should review and refresh the essentials of the role and the mission. Complexity is another added pressure but most complexity can be simplified. Simplification means efficiency and more predictable execution and results. Simplicity means more people can understand and be aligned to deliver, thus lessening pressure.

4. They must make clear and consistent decisions. Under pressure, a leader can very easily become unclear and inconsistent. This causes the whole team to lose focus. Everyone needs to understand what the leader wants and the better that this can be understood the more the team will support the leader.

5. Leaders need to trust others who will then, in turn, trust their leader and feel empowered to do their jobs. Leaders should give employees the freedom to succeed and achieve. They should invest in the talent and make sure the right talent is hired.

6. Consensus and alignment is crucial. Leaders must ensure that everyone understands and buys into the team’s mission and goals. If everyone understands the goals then they can agree and support the mission as a team. Gaining a shared purpose makes life easier for the leader and as a consequence this is an area of essential effort.


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1. https://www.wsandb.co.uk/wsb/news/2405191/workplace-biggest-cause-of-stress-for-managers-and-staff
2. https://www.towerswatson.com/en-GB/Press/2014/09/Workplace-stress-leads-to-less-productive-employees