The modern workplace is plagued with stress. A study by the Health and Safety Executive suggests stress affects more than 822,000 people a year, and it’s no wonder considering the ever-increasing demands of our 24/7 work culture and the growing pressure to constantly be ‘on’.
But how can leadership coaching help reduce stress in the workplace? Find out here.
Stress In the Workplace
Workplace stress has become a global pandemic. Covid-19 has forced companies to face the harsh realities of workplace stress and anxiety, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) warning that work-related stress is a leading cause of mental health problems, death, and disability.
In a survey of 2,000 employees, nearly half of the respondents said they felt stressed out at work, and one-third said their stress had increased in the past six months. Almost 60% of employees said their company was not doing enough to address the problem.
In the last year, the great resignation has seen millions of people across the United Kingdom leave their jobs due to reconsidering their work and life aspirations, according to the Harvard Business Review. But many also report leaving due to burnout, stress, and mental health problems.
What Are The Main Causes of Stress In the Workplace?
According to Health and Safety Executive, the leading causes of stress in the workplace include:
· Increased workload
· Pressure at work
· Responsibilities in the workplace
· Lack of managerial support
· Extended working hours
In addition to the above, a study conducted to examine the impact that COVID-19 and working from home have had on people worldwide states that a lack of organisational support available to employees, colleague support, and boundaries contribute to work-related stress.
How Can Leadership Coaching Help Reduce Stress in the Workplace?
Leadership coaching has become an important tool for leaders in the workplace. Coaching helps leaders identify their goals, develop a plan to achieve them, and stay on track.
When stress is high, it can be difficult for leaders to stay focused and motivated. In this instance, leadership coaching can help reduce stress and improve productivity. Leaders who participate in coaching are more likely to achieve their goals and experience less stress in the workplace.
In addition to the above, leadership coaching can help leaders and their teams navigate the sources of stress in the workplace. Below, we share how.
Leadership Coaching Can Help Leaders and Their People Understand and Identify the Causes of Stress
It’s true that leadership coaching future-proofs team performance and helps develop teams, but did you know that coaching can also help leaders and their people understand and identify the causes of stress?
Leaders who participate in coaching are able to better manage their own stress and that of their employees, leading to a more positive work environment.
Coaching can also help leaders understand how to navigate increased workloads, have effective conversations with their people, improve managerial support, and develop strategies for dealing with difficult situations and managing change.
As a result, employees feel more supported and able to cope with stressors in the workplace.
Leadership Coaching Can Enhance Organisational Support
Leadership coaching can effectively enhance organisational support, reduce stress in the workplace, and improve outcomes. A study by the International Coach Federation (ICF) found that coaching resulted in significant improvements in work team effectiveness, satisfaction with work, and job performance. In addition, coaching led to decreased staff turnover rates and grievances filed.
The benefits of leadership coaching are not limited to the individual leader. Coaching can also help organisations develop their leadership pipeline, increase the number of women and racially diverse leaders, and improve team dynamics.
Leadership Coaching Can Help Inspire Organisations and Their People
In one of our most recent blogs titled "how to inspire an organisation with your purpose", leadership coach Heather Rayfield shared how people everywhere are revaluating their lives and work and now expect their work to be a significant source of purpose in their lives. In turn, organisations need to help meet this need or be prepared to lose talent to companies that will. However, many organisations and leaders remain unsure of how to do this.
However, leadership coaching can help inspire organisations and their people, which, over time, can assist in reducing stress and burnout in the workplace.
Leadership Coaching Can Assist in Implementing Long-Term Change in the Workplace
Leadership coaching has become an increasingly popular way to develop and improve leadership skills in the workplace. Coaching can assist leaders in implementing long-term change and help them achieve their goals.
Furthermore, studies have shown that leadership coaching can help reduce stress levels in the long run. When employees feel stressed, they tend to become disengaged and less productive. However, when they receive coaching, they feel more supported and are better able to manage their stress levels. This leads to a more positive work environment and improved productivity.
Contact Us Today
Here at The Leadership Coaches, we have the knowledge, experience and expertise to support organisations in reducing stress in the workplace.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can support you and your people in reducing stress in the workplace.