"Only when one has clarity of mind can one strategize effectively," These memorable words from the CEO of General Electric, Kevin Cox, reflect the vital importance of Stress Management in the corporate world. Stress, if unaddressed, can impair cognitive function and decision-making ability—two skills vital for Fortune 500 C-level executives.
The Prevalence and Impact of Stress
According to a study by the American Institute of Stress, 80% of workers feel stress on the job and nearly half say they need help in learning how to manage stress. This high prevalence of stress undoubtedly affects individuals performing high-stakes roles, such as C-level executives. A report by McKinsey & Company highlighted the impact of executive stress on overall organizational performance. Their findings suggested that high levels of stress can hamper Strategic Planning, hurt team dynamics, and lead to poor business decisions.
Stress Management is the use of techniques to control a person's levels of stress, especially chronic stress, to improve everyday functioning. For C-level executives, successful implementation of such techniques can result in improved Business Transformation efforts, higher Operational Excellence, and agile Strategy Development among other benefits.
Effective Stress Management Techniques
Here are some tested Stress Management techniques, developed by top-tier management consulting firms and supported by rigorous research:
Practice Mindfulness: The Harvard Business Review suggests that mindfulness can reduce symptoms of stress and improve focus, leading to better decision-making.
Time Management: Prioritization and effective delegation have been endorsed by leadership advisors at Bain & Company as vital tactics to manage stress. They argue that a disciplined approach to time allocation can significant reduce stress levels.
Physical Exercise: McKinsey & Company, in their Executive Briefing, notes the benefits of regular physical exercise in managing stress. Our bodies release endorphins, or "feel-good" hormones, during exercise, which can help alleviate feelings of stress.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices: An Accenture report on executive health champions a balanced lifestyle with adequate sleep, a healthy diet and moderate consumption of alcohol and caffeine.
Implementing Stress Management at an Organizational Level
Organizations seeking to manage and reduce executive stress levels can take strategic steps. Deloitte’s 2020 Global Human Capital Trends report emphasized the role of corporate culture in managing stress. A culture of trust and openness was found to be conducive to stress management. In addition, designing workspaces with stress reduction in mind—for instance, quiet areas for focused work or relaxation—can also aid Stress Management.
PwC's report on Biophilic Design in the Workplace stressed the importance of incorporating natural elements into office design to lower stress. The addition of live plants, sunlight, and natural materials in office spaces was shown to have a positive effect on employees' mental health and stress levels.
Technology's Role in Stress Management
With the rise of Digital Transformation, technology also plays an integral part in Stress Management. Apps designed for mindfulness and relaxation exercises, or to promote better sleep, are increasingly being utilized by executives. The Future of Work report by Forrester highlights that employers are now offering access to such apps as part of their wellness programs, demonstrating acceptance of technology as part of a comprehensive approach to Stress Management.
The Bottom Line
Stress Management is a crucial facet of corporate health and increasingly, an essential part of Leadership and Culture of organizations. A thoughtful, strategic approach to stress, combined with individual and organizational techniques, can help executives function more effectively and enhance overall business performance.
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
"As a young consulting firm, requests for input from clients vary and it's sometimes impossible to provide expert solutions across a broad spectrum of requirements. That was before I discovered Flevy.com.
Through subscription to this invaluable site of a plethora of topics that are key and crucial to consulting, I have been able to exceed expectations and deliver quality advice and solutions to my clients. The quality and expertise of the authors are exemplary and gives me great confidence to use as part of my service offerings.
I highly recommend this company for any consultant wanting to apply international best practice standards in their service offerings. "
– Nishi Singh, Strategist and MD at NSP Consultants
"[Flevy] produces some great work that has been/continues to be of immense help not only to myself, but as I seek to provide professional services to my clients, it give me a large "tool box" of resources that are critical to provide them with the quality of service and outcomes they are expecting."
– Royston Knowles, Executive with 50+ Years of Board Level Experience
"The wide selection of frameworks is very useful to me as an independent consultant. In fact, it rivals what I had at my disposal at Big 4 Consulting firms in terms of efficacy and organization."
– Julia T., Consulting Firm Owner (Former Manager at Deloitte and Capgemini)
"As a consulting firm, we had been creating subject matter training materials for our people and found the excellent materials on Flevy, which saved us 100's of hours of re-creating what already exists on the Flevy materials we purchased."
– Michael Evans, Managing Director at Newport LLC
"My FlevyPro subscription provides me with the most popular frameworks and decks in demand in today’s market. They not only augment my existing consulting and coaching offerings and delivery, but also keep me abreast of the latest trends, inspire new products and service offerings for my practice, and educate me in a fraction of the time and money of other solutions. I strongly recommend FlevyPro to any consultant serious about success."
– Bill Branson, Founder at Strategic Business Architects
"Flevy is now a part of my business routine. I visit Flevy at least 3 times each month.
Flevy has become my preferred learning source, because what it provides is practical, current, and useful in this era where the business world is being rewritten.
In today's environment where there are so many challenges and there is the need to make the right decisions in a short time, with so much scattered information, we are fortunate to have Flevy. Flevy investigates, selects, and puts at our disposal the best of the best to help us be successful in our work."
– Omar Hernán Montes Parra, CEO at Quantum SFE
"I have used Flevy services for a number of years and have never, ever been disappointed. As a matter of fact, David and his team continue, time after time, to impress me with their willingness to assist and in the real sense of the word. I have concluded in fact that it is not at all just a repository of documents/resources but, in the way that David and his team manage the firm, it is like dealing with consultants always ready to assist, advise and direct you to what you really need, and they always get it right.
I am an international hospitality accomplished senior executive who has worked and lived during the past 35 years in 23 countries in 5 continents and I can humbly say that I know what customer service is, trust me.
Aside from the great and professional service that Flevy's team provide, their wide variety of material is of utmost great quality, professionally put together and most current.
Well done Flevy, keep up the great work and I look forward to continue working with you in the future and to recommend you to a variety of colleagues around the world."
– Roberto Pelliccia, Senior Executive in International Hospitality
"As a small business owner, the resource material available from FlevyPro has proven to be invaluable. The ability to search for material on demand based our project events and client requirements was great for me and proved very beneficial to my clients. Importantly, being able to easily edit and tailor the material for specific purposes helped us to make presentations, knowledge sharing, and toolkit development, which formed part of the overall program collateral. While FlevyPro contains resource material that any consultancy, project or delivery firm must have, it is an essential part of a small firm or independent consultant's toolbox."
– Michael Duff, Managing Director at Change Strategy (UK)
SELECT CUSTOMERS
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes across the world—in over 130 countries.
Below is just a very small sample of our customer base.
Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.
Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S Strategy Model, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Experience Curve, and many more.
Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S Strategy Model, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Experience Curve, and many more.