Pressure Points: How to Stay Resilient When Stress Builds

Stress is inevitable in demanding roles, but it doesn’t have to derail us or our teams. Resilience isn’t about avoiding stress; it’s about navigating it effectively. When the pressure builds, these strategies can help us and our teams stay steady and perform at our best.

1. Recognise the Early Warning Signs

Stress often builds gradually, so it’s crucial to spot the signs before it becomes overwhelming. Pay attention to physical, emotional, and behavioural changes in yourself and your team, such as irritability, fatigue, or reduced performance.

Key action: Schedule regular check-ins to discuss workload and wellbeing. Create an environment where it’s safe to speak up.

2. Prioritise What Matters Most

When stress is high, it’s easy to feel pulled in multiple directions. Resilience comes from focusing on what truly matters and letting go of the rest. Teach your team to differentiate between urgent and important tasks and to avoid spreading themselves too thin.

Key action: Use tools like prioritisation matrices or short daily team huddles to clarify goals and eliminate unnecessary tasks.

3. Strengthen the Basics

Good sleep, nutrition, and physical activity are often the first casualties when stress builds, but they’re also your best tools for resilience. A well-rested, nourished, and active team can handle pressure far better than one running on empty.

Key action: Encourage healthy habits by setting the example yourself. Consider flexible schedules or team challenges to promote wellness.

4. Build Psychological Safety

Teams under stress need to know they can rely on each other. Psychological safety – the ability to speak up, ask questions, or admit mistakes without fear – is a cornerstone of resilience. Fostering this environment ensures your team can tackle challenges together.

Key action: Actively listen, acknowledge concerns, and respond constructively when issues are raised.

5. Practice Stress Recovery Techniques

Resilience isn’t just about enduring stress; it’s also about recovering from it. Teach simple recovery techniques, such as controlled breathing, mindfulness, or short breaks, to help manage acute stress and restore focus.

Key action: Introduce these techniques during meetings or training sessions so they become second nature.

6. Lean on Your Support Systems

Resilience isn’t a solo endeavour. A strong network of support – whether it’s colleagues, mentors, or friends – can provide perspective and encouragement during tough times. Make sure your team knows where to turn when stress builds.

Key action: Regularly remind your team about available resources, such as peer support or external wellbeing programmes.

Keeping Resilience Front and Centre

When stress builds, resilience can mean the difference between stumbling and thriving. By recognising the early signs, prioritising effectively, and fostering a supportive, safe environment, we can guide our teams through pressure points with confidence.

Stress is inevitable, but how we handle it is up to us. With the right strategies, we can stay resilient, no matter how high the stakes.