How does stress affect your leadership skills?

Leading Change
Written By Stacia Aylward

The Challenge

Think about the last time one of your team members knocked on your door, or sent you an instant message asking if you had a moment to answer a question or talk through a challenge they were having. What was your immediate reaction (whether or not you showed it)? 

Why do this?

It's normal to be momentarily annoyed by an interruption in your work. But if you're finding yourself having to fight down anger or a feeling of helplessness ("how will I ever get my work done if I keep getting interrupted every 5 minutes?"), that could be a sign that you should take a look at your overall stress level. 

As a leader, it's important to take care of your own mental health so that you're emotionally available to support your team. 

What’s next?

Consider setting aside a couple of hours a day as "interruption-free zones," where your team knows that you're not available for questions.

Stacia Aylward

Zelos CEO Stacia C. Aylward is an executive leader and lifelong learner with broad professional experience in envisioning and leading programs, projects and teams; facilitating and teaching adults; conducting research; and developing client relationships using proven methodologies in many government and technical fields, including economics, education, healthcare, housing, non-profit governance, IT and law. Stacia holds a master’s degree in Communication and Information, a bachelor’s degree in English, a Six Sigma black belt certification, and a Coach Approach to Leadership credential.

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