Some of my favorite strategies: Set Realistic Goals: Encourage micro-breaks between tasks to prevent burnout and boost focus. Foster Connection: I recently did an escape room with colleagues, it was a hit! Laughter Therapy: I schedule 5 minutes at the start and end of meetings for jokes, funny stories, or meme sharing. Mindful Movement: Engage in walking meetings or hold meetings outside when possible. Encourage Autonomy and Ownership: Empowering team members to own their work fosters control, reduces stress, and builds trust by letting them propose solutions and adjust priorities. I find that discussing challenges openly helps normalize stress and fosters a culture of transparency-encouraging others to share their coping strategies.

Stress is not just emotional and mental but also a physical experience. Stress response requires energy. Therefore I would recommend my team to take intentional breaks throughout the day, suggest a supplement protocol that will help them stay in stress (which is a good thing) instead of going into overwhelm and burnout. I’d get each team member identify what is stressing them out and make an action plan to resolve it. Help them look at what’s in their control and what is not. And help them refocus on what is in their control. Also help them identify the part of themselves that is stressed. Is it the part that likes things perfect or is it the one that connects their self worth with work results. Stress needs multifaceted approach.

To tackle stress and boost collaboration, first, create a supportive environment by fostering open communication where team members can express concerns without fear of judgment. Regular check-ins and one-on-one conversations help in understanding individual challenges. Encourage team bonding through informal meetings or group activities to strengthen trust and morale. Setting clear goals with achievable deadlines can prevent overwhelm. Additionally, promote a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible work hours and encouraging breaks. By recognizing individual contributions and celebrating small wins, you will ensure the team stays motivated and feels valued, paving the way for more effective collaboration and less stress.

If stress is the main interference, the best way to lead them is by providing stress-reducing strategies AND modeling them to encourage implementation of the tools. It's not enough to provide the tools themselves because without an environment that supports their ability to do them, knowing about them is useless. Walk the talk: don't just encourage breaks, take them. Model it's okay to have "heads down" time to focus vs always being available. Don't schedule meetings that could have been emails. Treat others with kindness, respect, and humanity to create safety and community.