How to Build Thriving Teams in High-Stress Environments

In today's fast-paced and high-stress organisations, the ability to build and sustain thriving teams is more critical than ever. Without proper training and strategies, teams can quickly succumb to stress, leading to decreased productivity, low morale, and high turnover rates. However, with the right approach, teams can not only survive, but thrive, even in the most challenging environments.

Having previously been in a leadership role within an NHS psychosis service, I have personally experienced the leadership challenges that come from staff sickness and burnout - both within my team and, of course, more widely within a high-stress organisation such as the NHS. These experiences have underscored the importance of implementing effective strategies to support teams working in these types of environments. Witnessing (and experiencing) firsthand the detrimental effects of burnout, I am committed to sharing insights and methods that can transform high-stress workplaces into thriving environments.

The Drawbacks of No Training

1. Increased Burnout: Team members without training in stress management and resilience are more likely to experience burnout, impacting their overall performance and wellbeing. Burnout can manifest as chronic fatigue, cynicism, and a sense of inefficacy, all of which detract from a team’s overall effectiveness.

2. Low Morale: Without proper support and development, employee morale can suffer, leading to disengagement and a lack of motivation. When morale is low, it can spread like a contagion through the team, creating a pervasive atmosphere of negativity and dissatisfaction.

3. Poor Communication: Without effective communication training, misunderstandings and conflicts can arise, leading to a toxic work environment. Ineffective communication can also hinder collaboration, making it difficult for team members to work together efficiently and harmoniously.

4. Decreased Productivity: Teams lacking proper training struggle to manage their workload efficiently, leading to missed deadlines and reduced productivity. This inefficiency can cause projects to lag and deadlines to be missed, further exacerbating stress and lowering team morale.

5. High Turnover Rates: When employees feel unsupported, they are more likely to leave, resulting in high turnover rates and the continuous need to recruit and train new staff. High turnover not only disrupts team cohesion but also incurs significant costs in terms of recruitment and onboarding new employees.

The Positives of Getting It Right

1. Enhanced Resilience: Training equips team members with the tools they need to manage stress effectively, enhancing their resilience and ability to adapt to challenges. Resilient teams are better equipped to handle setbacks and can maintain a positive outlook even in difficult circumstances.

2. Decreased Burnout Rates: With effective stress management and resilience training, the incidence of burnout among team members significantly decreases, promoting overall wellbeing. Reducing burnout helps to maintain high energy levels and job satisfaction, which are crucial for long-term success.

3. Improved Communication: Teams trained in communication skills can collaborate more effectively, fostering a positive and productive work environment. Good communication ensures that team members are on the same page, reducing misunderstandings and facilitating smoother workflows.

4. Increased Productivity: With the right training, teams can streamline processes and manage their workload more efficiently, leading to higher productivity. Well-trained teams can leverage best practices and innovative solutions to enhance their performance and output.

5. Higher Retention Rates: Employees who feel supported and valued are more likely to stay, reducing turnover rates and maintaining team stability. Higher retention rates preserve institutional knowledge and foster a more cohesive and experienced team.

A Method for Building a Thriving Team

1. Assessment: Begin by understanding the reasons for staff sickness, burnout, and turnover. Conduct surveys, hold one-on-one meetings, and analyse data to identify the root causes of stress and dissatisfaction within the team. It's important to involve employees in this process to ensure their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.

2. Resilience: Develop the skills to manage adversity and persevere through challenges. Offer workshops and training sessions focused on resilience-building techniques such as mindfulness, stress management, and emotional intelligence. These sessions should be interactive and practical, providing employees with tangible tools they can apply in their daily work.

3. Implementation: Implement resilience training within the organisation. Ensure that all team members have access to these resources and integrate resilience training into the onboarding process for new employees. Regularly schedule refresher courses to keep skills sharp and knowledge current.

4. Sustainability: Create a sustainable framework ensuring long-term success and viability. Develop ongoing support systems such as peer mentoring, regular check-ins, and continuous professional development opportunities to maintain the momentum of resilience-building efforts. Establishing a feedback loop allows for the continuous improvement of training programs and the adaptation of strategies to meet evolving needs.

5. Empowerment: Encourage autonomy through continuous learning and growth, enabling others to take action. Foster a culture of empowerment where team members are encouraged to take initiative, share their ideas, and actively contribute to the team's success. Empowerment can be achieved through delegating responsibilities, providing opportunities for professional development, and recognising and rewarding innovation and initiative.

Additional Strategies for Thriving Teams

1. Foster a Supportive Culture: A supportive organisational culture is crucial for building thriving teams. Leaders should model resilience and open communication, showing empathy and understanding towards team members’ challenges. Creating a safe environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their struggles and seeking support is vital.

2. Flexible Work Arrangements: Offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options and flexible hours, can help reduce stress and improve work-life balance. Flexibility allows employees to manage their personal and professional responsibilities more effectively, reducing the risk of burnout.

3. Regular Team-Building Activities: Organising regular team-building activities can strengthen relationships and improve collaboration. These activities should be designed to be fun and engaging, promoting camaraderie and a sense of belonging among team members.

4. Provide Access to Wellness Resources: Providing access to wellness resources such as counselling services, fitness programs, and stress management workshops can support employees' overall wellbeing. Encouraging the use of these resources and making them easily accessible can have a positive impact on both physical and mental health.

5. Set Realistic Goals and Expectations: Setting realistic goals and expectations can help manage workload and reduce stress. It's important to ensure that team members have the resources and support they need to achieve their objectives without feeling overwhelmed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, building a thriving team in high-stress environments is not just about survival - it's about creating a resilient, cohesive, and productive unit that can face any challenge with confidence. By investing in the right training and fostering a supportive environment, we can transform high-stress organisations into thriving, dynamic workplaces.

The effort put into building a thriving team is an investment in the future of any organisation. The benefits of reduced burnout rates, increased productivity, improved communication, and higher retention rates far outweigh the costs of training and development.

By focusing on assessment, resilience, implementation, sustainability, and empowerment, we can create teams that are not only effective but also thriving in high-stress environments. Let’s make resilience and empowerment the cornerstones of our organisational culture, paving the way for success and fulfilment.