Last week, my 13-year-old son was unusually quiet, moody, withdrawn, snappy. You might think ‘teenagers, right?’ But this wasn’t like him. Something was off. Eventually, he admitted he was overwhelmed by a school assignment. He didn’t feel equipped to handle it. His instinct? Avoid it and hope it would go away. And I thought: How often do leaders miss these signs in their teams?
The truth is: stress isn’t always loud. It doesn’t always involve tears or tantrums. Often, it’s:
- Over-functioning… until they crash
- Quiet disengagement
- Snapping at small things
- Or ‘working from home’ that really means hiding under a duvet
And the uncomfortable truth? As a manager, you might be part of the problem, without realising it.
Stress: a Leadership Issue?
In 2024, research from Champion Health found 76% of employees report moderate to high stress levels. The top causes?
- Excessive workload
- Poor leadership
- Lack of support
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) outlines six drivers of workplace stress:
- Overload – Unrealistic expectations
- Lack of control – No autonomy
- Zero support – Absent or inconsistent management
- Toxic relationships – Cliques, conflict, poor comms
- Role confusion – Unclear or shifting responsibilities
- Chaotic change – Sudden shifts with no warning
None of these are ‘HR problems,’ they’re coaching moments, and when you miss them, stress can spread like wildfire. This is because one person’s burnout can become everyone’s problem. Of course, it starts small, but then:
- Workload redistributes
- High performers feel overburdened
- Trust dips
- Morale tanks
- Resentment builds, and staff turnover begins
Unfortunately, this isn’t a blip, and wishful thinking won’t magic it away. But it is fixable.
Coaching: The Leadership Skill That Stops Stress in Its Tracks
Today’s teams need leaders who coach, every day, in every conversation. Great coaching helps you:
- Spot stress early
- Have real conversations (not just check-ins)
- Ask powerful questions that spark insight
- Build safety and trust under pressure
- Help people build resilience without burning out
- Balance empathy with accountability
- Lead through change with clarity and care
It’s not therapy, and it’s certainly not ‘soft.’ It’s how you prevent burnout before it begins.
The Problem? Most Managers Were Never Taught How
Maybe you got a basic ‘coaching’ session years ago. Maybe it was really about mentoring or ‘difficult conversations.’ Since then? You’ve been winging it. Or worse, thinking you’re coaching when you’re not.
Introducing: Coaching Mastery
I offer a practical, high-impact programme for managers ready to lead with clarity, confidence and less stress, for everyone. In my Coaching Mastery programme, you’ll learn how to:
- Build trust fast
- Listen with an open mind and without judgement
- Ask coaching questions that shift mindset
- Spot and defuse stress early
- Navigate tough conversations calmly
- Support your team without taking on their problems
- Set boundaries while leading with compassion
Because great leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking better questions, and helping others find their own. Feel free to get in touch to find out more about my transformative coaching course.