How do you handle pressure as an executive?

2 Develop a coping strategy

The second step to handle pressure is to develop a coping strategy that works for you and your situation. No single solution is applicable to everyone, but some common coping strategies include taking breaks and practicing self-care, seeking support and feedback, managing your emotions and thoughts, and learning from your experiences and mistakes. Recharging your energy and mental clarity by taking regular breaks, getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising can help you stay strong. Additionally, you can reach out for advice, perspective, or encouragement from peers, mentors, coaches, or trusted advisors. Mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, or positive affirmations can be used to calm your emotions and thoughts. Lastly, pressure can be seen as an opportunity to learn and grow rather than a threat or setback. Reflecting on experiences and mistakes can help you identify what went well and what needs improvement for future situations.

3 Adopt a growth mindset

The third step to handle pressure is to adopt a growth mindset, which is the belief that you can improve your abilities and outcomes through effort, feedback, and learning. This mindset can help you cope with pressure by embracing challenges and risks, seeking opportunities and feedback, and celebrating your achievements and progress. Rather than viewing pressure as a risk that paralyzes you, you can view it as a challenge that motivates you. You can also take calculated risks and experiment with new ideas or approaches, rather than sticking to the status quo or playing it safe. Moreover, it's important to seek out opportunities and feedback that can help you develop your skills and knowledge, rather than avoiding or rejecting them. Additionally, you should welcome constructive criticism and learn from others who are more experienced or successful than you. Finally, don't forget to celebrate your achievements and progress, no matter how big or small. Acknowledge your efforts and contributions instead of attributing your success to luck or external factors.

5 Delegate and empower your team

The fifth step to handle pressure is to delegate and empower your team, which is the group of people who work with you or under you to achieve your goals. Delegating and empowering your team can help you cope with pressure by leveraging their strengths and skills, fostering a culture of trust and accountability, and recognizing and rewarding their performance and efforts. To do this, assign tasks that match their abilities, interests, and potential, provide them with the resources they need to succeed, trust them to make decisions and take actions, hold them accountable for their results and behaviors, encourage them to trust each other and collaborate effectively, give positive and constructive feedback, praise, recognition, or rewards, and celebrate their achievements and milestones.

6 Review and adjust your pressure level

Periodically reviewing and adjusting your pressure level can help you cope with pressure by measuring and evaluating your results and impact, assessing and balancing your workload and stress, and adjusting your goals and actions. To measure and evaluate your results and impact, use data, metrics, or indicators that reflect your goals, OKRs, or key performance indicators (KPIs), as well as analyzing your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). To assess and balance your workload and stress, use tools or methods such as the Eisenhower matrix, the Pareto principle, or the stress curve. Additionally, prioritize, delegate, or eliminate tasks that are not urgent, important, or valuable. Finally, adjust your goals and actions by setting new or revised goals that are realistic, challenging, and meaningful. Take new or different actions to help you achieve your goals or overcome challenges.