Dealing with Frustration as a Leader: Tips for Maintaining Consistency and Reducing Stress

Do you ever get frustrated when working with others? If so, you aren't alone. When I started my current company over 2 years ago, I was frustrated because I had to work with some people or companies who wanted to take advantage of their dominant position, or even people whom I felt they were not committed.

Over time, I've learned that as a leader, it's important to recognize your own frustration and deal with it in a healthy and productive way. First, no one wants to follow someone who looks sick, and second... if you lead, others in the company who are struggling with the same issues can learn something from you! 

Frustration only arises in you when you face challenges or obstacles, and it can have a significant impact on your health. In my opinion, it arises when there is a discrepancy between your expectations and reality. And remember, you create your own reality!

There are several strategies you can use to reduce frustration. One of them is cognitive reframing, which involves looking at the situation from a different perspective, even if that different perspective doesn't match the one you have at the time. For example, instead of looking at a problem as something unexpected and undesirable, you can look at it as a situation where different facts, perspectives, and values need to be evaluated. This is a great strategy that can help reduce frustration and increase self-awareness.

Another effective method is mindfulness. It consists of focusing your attention on the present moment and accepting your feelings and thoughts without judging them.

If you're able to recognize this point of no return for many, you can begin to reduce stress and better regulate your emotions. Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising, spending time with friends and enjoying hobbies are also helpful.

I've also learned to pay attention to how frustration affects my speech and communication. This is especially important if you're in a leadership position. Consistency is important and one of the most desirable gifts a leader should have.

Finally, remember that frustration is a normal and natural emotion and it's only up to you to find healthy and productive habits to deal with it.

I hope this was helpful. If you want to learn more about the impact of language on the brain and the teams around you, you can read Chapter 8 of my book Leading Exponential Change, which is now available for free. I'll leave the link here: https://lnkd.in/e4hBJp2v