06/06/2023
MANAGING WORKPLACE PRESSURE
Workplace pressure is most times inevitable because of the urgency to meet deadlines, attain a common goal, make sales and generate profit.
Pressure and tension can be energising, inspiring and motivating and can keep everyone at alert to meeting deadlines. But too much pressure can lead to stress and breakdown for both the head and team members if not properly managed.
What to do is to make sure everyone understands the importance of the work at hand and work hard to meet the goal. Then as the lead, know that you're all partners in progress, so encourage, motivate and commend and don't push too much. Also create a friendly atmosphere as you work so everyone can feel belonged and carried along while you work to achieve the goal. Let there be times to unwind, maybe towards the close of business. You can all relax together and catch some fun activities like having some drinks, snacks, or even some games together.
If you work remote, you can have some breaks in-between tasks when everyone can check out, relax and clear their heads and then get back to work based on agreed timelines. You can also have sometimes when you connect with other team members, not for work, but to check how they are doing, share some jokes, laugh and clear some tensions off the body.
So while pressure is good and can get everyone energised and motivated to work and stay on course to attain the common goal, as a team lead, guard it so it doesn't become choky and draining on team members. At the end of the day, you all are in this together. And when team members are happy and know that you care beyond the work at hand, they give in their all not just to meet the deadline or attain the goal but for overall organisational growth.
