These are particularly stressful times for many people around the world.  We are still in the midst of a pandemic, social justice issues are forcing uncomfortable conversations that need to be had, and we are getting bombarded with negative political ads.  When you combine that with the additional stress that comes with the roles we play at work, at home, and in our communities, it can be a recipe for disaster.  The negative impact of stress on our bodies as leaders is immense, but what is worse is the ability for that stress to spread within our organizations.  Many leaders are unknowingly causing undue harm in the disguise of getting more done and tearing their organizations apart from the inside with the pressure of trying to grow their businesses.

I was inspired this week by my friend, Charles Fred at True Space and his book, The 24 Hour Rule.  In this quick read, he promotes the importance of “pause” when interacting with people in your life.  A pause may be a deep breath, a walk around the block, counting to 10, or even meditation - anything that that provides mental clarity and emotional discipline before responding to others.  In the book, he points to many outside factors that are out of our control and suggests there is only one thing we can control.  He says; “We hold the power to decide how, when, and where we respond and react to crises, questions, criticisms, unforeseen situations, employees and colleagues.”  Taking a pause helps us reset, gives us more control and provides much needed perspective.  Their research has shown that a pause helps us inspire others to reach their full potential instead of being disenchanted with their work.  It’s a simple pause that can lead to a dramatic decrease in the stress levels at a company.

We’ve all encountered situations that bring us frustration, anger or disappointment, but often we don’t express the right amount of these emotions to the correct person.  This can lead to regret, cause tension that persists beyond that interaction and diminished motivation. I’ve gone through these times over the past six months and know how hard it can be to constantly stay positive.  This pause isn’t about the weight of the world magically disappearing from your shoulders, it’s a tactic we can all use to assess our situation and respond in a way in which we will look back on and be proud.

We live in a fast paced, “get it done now” world.  With the benefits of technology we have accepted the downside of the need to always be connected.  We are shouldering an immense amount of pressure to save our companies . As a leader who wants to improve and be the best you can be for your team, it’s time to assess how much stress you are bringing to your organization.  Do you need to take back control over how you respond to others?  How can you incorporate more “pauses” into your life?  And are you allowing other leaders on your team to spread their stress?

*Each week I share a leadership message with our team and we are honored to share it with you via MIBE Tribe. MIBE (the acronym for Make It Better Everyday) Tribe delivers education on heart leadership and intentional culture building for the hospitality industry.