While balancing your professional and personal life, it is no doubt that situations are often hectic. It seems as though stress is just a normal part of daily life. With that being the case, when an unforeseen situation arises, it can take your stress to a new level.
As an executive, it is necessary that you approach any stressful situation, pressure or downsizing with poise and professionalism. It is best to handle unexpected situations in a calm, professional fashion. A lack of composure from a leader can lead to chaos and an overall poor work environment for those who work with you.
Uncertainty and change is part of the job; therefore, it is critical that you tackle adversity with ease.
There is no doubt that may seem easier said than done. Therefore, how does one maintain his or her dignity in stressful situations?
Control Your Emotions
To maintain your composure and dignity, it is essential to come up with strategies to control your emotions. Showing anger and stress inhibits your ability to effectively do your job and impacts your coworkers’ confidence in you as a leader.
Therefore, to ensure that people remain excited to be on your team, find what helps you stay in control of your emotions when you feel your stress level rising. For some that may mean taking the time to process the situation by brainstorming or writing down the problem and possible solutions. For others, a strategy to lower your stress level might be to take a walk. The purpose is to avoid a rash, confrontational decision and, instead, to remain calm, cool, and collected.
Focus on the Positive
In many situations, you can find a positive or at least something that you can learn (or help your team learn) from the circumstance. Look at unexpected, stressful conditions as an opportunity to learn, grow, and expand the effectiveness of yourself and your team.
Be Accountable and Decisive
A manager, in any given situation, must take control to gain the confidence of those he or she is leading. Consider the mindset that you are in charge, and, therefore, it is your problem. This mindset can help you take control of the situation and move forward in finding a solution in a clear, focused, manner.
Once you have managed your emotions, you can make a plan to overcome the stressful situation with confidence in your decision making. You can employ the right people among your team to manage various aspects of the problem, and they will conduct themselves with the knowledge that they have your full support and that you are sure of your decisions.
Be Prepared
Finally, it is helpful to know that such occasions will arise and that you have no control over when or where they will occur. Therefore, it is essential you have a game-plan when you encounter disappointment as the result of downsizing or a problem within a project you are leading.
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