Are You Spreading Stress to Your Team?

Stress is contagious—but so is calm. Which one are you spreading? Your team's performance depends on your answer. Stress Isn’t the Problem—Staying Stuck Is We all experience stress, but remaining stuck in stress is where issues arise. Welcome back to Reflect Forward; I'm Kerry Siggins. Today we explore why stress is contagious and how leaders can effectively manage it. As leaders, our emotions significantly influence our teams. When stressed, our teams feel it too. When calm, we foster productivity and creativity. Why Stress is Contagious Mirror neurons, brain cells activated by observing actions or emotions, make stress contagious. A 2014 study in Psychological Science found simply seeing someone stressed can raise cortisol levels, increasing our stress response. Our body language often communicates more powerfully than words. A recent personal experience reminded me how critical managing facial expressions and posture is to maintaining a calm team environment. Why Managing Your Stress Matters Unchecked leader stress leads to: • Fearful, defensive cultures • Burnout and increased turnover • Lost credibility and trust Effective leadership starts with managing your emotional presence. Key Takeaways: Six Tips for Managing Stress 1. Practice Self-Awareness: Regularly identify and address stressors. 2. Breathe Before You Speak: Breathing deeply shifts your mindset from reactive to thoughtful. 3. Normalize, Don't Amplify Stress: Acknowledge stress calmly and communicate solutions. 4. Create Stress Recovery Rituals: Use exercise, journaling, meditation, or quiet walks to recharge. 5. Embrace the Ownership Mindset: Focus on controlling your response, not external circumstances. 6. Keep Perspective: Today's challenges are temporary. Maintain a measured approach. Weekly Action Items • Conduct an energy audit to pinpoint stressors. • Adopt one new stress-management practice immediately. • Lead with resilience, pausing and reflecting before reacting. Calm and chaos are contagious—choose wisely. Self-leadership is foundational to leading others effectively. If you found this helpful, please share, subscribe, and leave a review. Thank you for joining Reflect Forward!