Next Steps Consulting
April is Stress Awareness Month, a timely reminder that workplace stress is not just an individual challenge but is heavily influenced by leadership, culture and how work is managed.
Managers play a critical role in shaping the day to day experience of colleagues. They influence workload, priorities, communication and how safe people feel to speak up when they are struggling. Research consistently shows that a supportive manager can significantly reduce the impact of workplace pressure, while poor management practices can increase stress.
Equipping managers with the awareness and skills to support wellbeing is not just a “nice to have”, it's a key leadership capability.
Here are five practical ways managers can help reduce stress within their teams:
Create psychological safety
Encourage open conversations about workload and wellbeing. When employees feel safe to speak up, challenges are addressed earlier before they escalate.
Provide clarity and prioritisation
Unclear expectations and competing priorities are a major sources of stress. Managers can reduce pressure by helping teams understand what matters most and what can wait.
Recognise early signs of stress
Changes in behaviour, withdrawal, reduced concentration or heightened emotions can be early indicators of someone that is stressed. Regular check ins can help identify when someone may need support.
Role model healthy working habits
Managers set the tone therefore encouraging breaks, setting boundaries around working hours and demonstrating healthy work habits helps create sustainable performance.
Have regular wellbeing check ins
Conversations should go beyond tasks and targets and really understanding how a person is can make a meaningful difference.
Ask simple questions such as:
- "What are you finding most difficult currently?"
- "What’s giving you energy at work?"
- "What support do you need?"
Supporting employee wellbeing starts with leadership, when managers are equipped to recognise and respond to stress, organisations create environments where people can thrive, not just survive.
About Gemma Carter-Morris: Gemma is a Leadership and Wellbeing Coach and works with organisations, teams and individuals to strengthen leadership capability, support wellbeing and build high-performing, resilient cultures.
