In recognition of National Stress Awareness Day “a day dedicated to promote health and wellbeing while sharing strategies to prevent burnout”, it’s timely to look at how stress affects individuals and team in the workplace.
Understanding the signs of stress, its impact on team dynamics, and effective strategies to manage it can make a meaningful difference. By actively identifying and addressing stress, organisations can foster a healthier work environment, where employees feel supported, and well-being is always a priority.
Recognising Signs of Workplace Stress
Everyone in a workplace—peers, direct reports, and leaders alike—should be aware of the early indicators that stress might be affecting individuals or the team. Here are some common signs to look out for:
- Behavioural Changes: Sensitivity, withdrawal, erratic actions.
- Decreased Focus: Poor concentration, reduced attention to detail, and missed deadlines.
- Reduced Work Quality: Lower performance, commitment, and work standards.
- Disengagement: Taking sick days and less engagement in team activities.
- Defensive or Critical Reactions: Defensiveness or reacting strongly to feedback.
- Increased Conflict: Frequent misunderstandings, conflicts, or tension.
Recognising these signs early can help teams and leaders to proactively address stress, creating a more supportive and productive workplace.
The Impact of Stress on a Team
Workplace stress not only challenges the individual experiencing it but also impacts the team, affecting everyone’s productivity, morale, and overall performance. Here are several ways stress can affect a team and its dynamics.
- Reduced Productivity and Efficiency: Increased levels of stress can lead to decreased focus, motivation, and creativity. This often results in mistakes, missed deadlines, and lower output across the team.
- High Turnover and Absenteeism: Over an extended time period stress can cause burnout, leading to absenteeism and turnover. When a team member leaves it is disruptive and requires time and effort to find and develop new team members.
- Decreased Morale and Cohesion: Stress contributes to conflict, misunderstandings, and decreased morale, which can result in low trust among team members and reduces a sense of belonging and feeling supported within the team.
- Poor Mental and Physical Health: Chronic stress can be a contributing factor to anxiety, depression, and physical health issues.
How to Manage Stress for Teams
A proactive, coordinated approach is essential for identifying when stress affects a team. Actively raising awareness and openly discussing stress in the workplace, can help reduce stigma and foster a culture where employees understand stress, recognise its signs, and feel empowered to manage it. This creates a healthier work environment and improves overall wellbeing for everyone.
- Communicate: Develop leaders who create an environment where team members are supported and encouraged to speak openly about their stress and workload. These regular check-ins and open-door policies will build a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing challenges and reduce the buildup of stress.
- Set Clear Goals: When individuals are unclear about their roles and expectations, stress can build. By providing clear goals and constructive feedback, individuals will feel confident and supported in their roles.
- Reward Efforts: Simply acknowledging and thanking team members for their contributions will help to make individuals feel valued and appreciated whilst also boosting morale and reducing stress.
- Nurture a Positive Team Culture: A culture of empathy, collaboration, and inclusion can mitigate stress. Using team-building activities, holding regular feedback sessions, and building a culture of respect will improve team dynamics, increase resilience and encourage open discussion about the factors that increase stress.
