While attending the NHMA meeting of business owners last week, my name tag that listed my expertise as STRESS seemed to have started a lot of discussion! And in introducing myself to the 50 attendees as an executive coach who helps business excutives deal with the stress of growing their businesses, I was totally surprised that the room broke out laughing...but not in a humorous way.
What I learned from these successful people: [1] stress no doubt impacts ones performance, even if it is not prolonged or severe, [2] executives tend to think 'it comes with the territory' rather than take action to deal with it, and [3] stressors tend to be those things we think we don't have control over...especially other people, direct reports, customers, regulatory agencies, etc.
What they learned from me: to determine the real cause(s) of stress, followed by a strategy to make changes within one's self and in key relationships, can be achieved through the help of a coach. Exercise can reduce the symptoms but finding the source takes help from others one can trust.
My experience includes:
- A business owner who had his wife in his business [solution involved a generous severance package]
- The paradox of not delegating authority to others as a way to get more control [solutions involve designing delegation of tasks that are less significant to business outcomes to prove the paradox is true]
- The inability to provide honest feedback to others (including customers) [solution is changing the words, timing and tone with the intent of mutual wins...realizing both parties want honest feedback]
- Being a "tough boss" who is too busy to provide direct feedback, but really doesn't hold others accountable because their methods do not seem to work [solutions involve facilitated meetings]
Here's to a stress-free day...for you and those around you!
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