Wellbeing Wednesday: Managing workplace stress

It provides the foundation upon which teams can engage in open communication, explore creative solutions, and embrace risks; all of which are essential ingredients for innovation.

Employees are more inclined to bring their full selves to work, leading to a richer, more diverse set of ideas and solutions, and the ripple effects of such a culture contributes to a more satisfying and engaging work experience, bolstering job satisfaction and employee retention.

Furthermore, the role of psychological safety in mitigating mental health issues is profound. By cultivating an atmosphere of trust and openness, organisations can effectively reduce the stressors that contribute to burnout and other psychological challenges. This not only aids in the immediate wellbeing of employees but also in the long-term resilience of teams, making psychological safety a critical consideration in any stress management strategy.

Leadership strategies for fostering psychological safety

The responsibility for building a psychologically safe workplace falls significantly on leaders, who should adopt and model behaviours to promote openness and trust. Key strategies include the prioritisation of open communication; showing vulnerability, acknowledging mistakes, and admitting when you don’t have all the answers; ensuring inclusivity and a sense of community and mutual respect; and trusting employees to manage their responsibilities and pursue their ideas, while also being available to provide support when needed.

By prioritising these core competencies, whilst also continuously seeking feedback, and adapting policies and practices as necessary, leaders can ensure they are equipped to cultivate psychological safety, driving performance and wellbeing across all levels of the organisation.

Beyond these broad strategies, the proficiency of managers in specific skills is vital – including compassion, effective communication, capability management, and change management. These skills are integral to creating a supportive, resilient, and innovative workplace.

Compassion: The heart of psychological safety

Compassion is the emotional foundation upon which psychological safety is built. Managers who exhibit compassion understand and empathise with the challenges their employees face, both in and out of the workplace. This empathy drives them to create an environment where employees feel valued and supported.

Compassionate managers recognise that employees are not just workers but people with complex lives and challenges. By prioritising compassion, managers can address stress and mental health proactively, creating a culture of care that underpins psychological safety.

Effective and open communication: The bridge to understanding

Communication skills are essential for articulating expectations, providing feedback, and engaging in meaningful dialogue. Effective communication fosters an environment where employees feel confident to speak up, ask questions, and express their ideas or concerns without fear of retribution. This open exchange of information and ideas is a hallmark of psychologically safe workplaces, promoting a culture of transparency and mutual understanding that is essential for managing stress and facilitating innovation.

Capability Management: Empowering through development

Capability management focuses on identifying, developing, and leveraging the skills and strengths of each team member, and aligning them with organisational goals, to ensure that employees are both challenged and supported in their roles. By investing in the growth and development of their employees, managers not only boost individual and team performance but also contribute to a sense of competence and autonomy among team members. This empowerment is critical for fostering an environment where employees feel equipped to handle changes, take risks, and contribute their best work.

Change Management: Navigating the new with confidence

Managers must be adept at leading through change. This involves not only managing the logistical aspects of change but also addressing the human side; helping team members navigate uncertainty, maintain focus, and adapt to new realities. Effective change management supports psychological safety by ensuring that employees feel informed, involved, and resilient in the face of change. Managers who are skilled in change management can mitigate the stress and anxiety that often accompany organisational changes, thereby maintaining a stable and supportive work environment.

Navigating the complexities of the modern workplace

The integration of these key managerial skills into the framework of psychological safety is vital for creating a work environment conducive to stress management, innovation, and employee wellbeing. Managers who embody these skills can effectively navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, fostering a culture where employees are empowered to express their ideas, embrace challenges, and support one another.

As we look towards the future, the importance of psychological safety is only set to increase. With the nature of work continuously evolving, marked by rapid technological advancements, shifting societal expectations, and the increasing complexity of global challenges, creating environments where employees feel safe to innovate, learn, and grow will be more critical than ever.

The management of workplace stress, through the lens of psychological safety, highlights a transformative approach to leadership and organisational culture. It underscores the importance of creating spaces where employees feel supported to share, innovate, and express concerns; an approach that not only enhances individual wellbeing but also drives team success and organisational resilience.

Beverley Le Cuirot FRSPH (main picture) is the Founder of WellBeing World, WellBeing At Work, Leaders in WellBeing, and the global awareness events, World WellBeing Week and World WellBeing At Work Week. She is committed to promoting personal, corporate and societal wellbeing and hosts a membership body for health and wellbeing practitioners and experts; she publishes WellBeing World magazine, now online; and has created the WellBeing At Work platform which provides consultancy services to organisations with a focus on employee and workplace wellbeing to create positive working environments and purposeful, meaningful work for all.

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