Help Your Employees Perform Under Pressure With These Tips

Employees who consistently perform under pressure can lose motivation, experience burnout and even develop health problems. A stress-filled, high-pressure work environment can also impact employee retention, as most workers in such settings are usually planning their exit. It's normal for workers to experience stress from time to time, but management must step in if the overall environment is stressful, negative and emotionally draining. Help your employees perform under pressure with these tips.

Keep Your Cool

Employees look to you for guidance, direction and motivation, so if you're always stressed out or in panic mode, your employees will notice and might begin mimicking these traits. As a manager, it's important for you to have a calm demeanor that allows you to react rationally, even in extreme situations. Practice stress-busting strategies, such as deep breathing or meditation, that can help you consistently perform under pressure without yelling at employees or threatening dismissal. Avoid reacting negatively to workplace problems, and maintain a positive attitude that carries over to your employees so they'll have an example of how to keep their cool when feeling overwhelmed.

Let Your Employees Do Their Jobs

Avoid micromanaging seasoned employees or telling them how to do their jobs. If your employees are competent, trust them to get the job done correctly, even when they're performing under pressure. Let your employees know you're available if they have questions, and then leave them alone. Employees with large workloads generally feel a great deal of pressure when bosses stand over them, watch their every move and point out every mistake they make. Give your employees room to breathe to help them reduce workplace stress, and only interrupt them when it's unavoidable.

Make Employees Feel Valuable

Many employees perform under pressure consistently because they never know how their bosses view them or whether their efforts are appreciated. If you have exceptional employees, let them know they're doing an outstanding job and that you greatly appreciate their contributions to the organization. Hand out awards or trophies each quarter to celebrate their contributions, and give out holiday bonuses if it's in your budget. Create a company culture that makes employees feel valued by consistently praising and rewarding their efforts. If an employee is not performing at a high level, provide constructive criticism, encourage him to improve, and offer additional training or assistance.

Encourage Lunches and Breaks

Encourage your employees to take short breaks throughout the day and to use their full lunch hour, especially if they're working on a huge project or have a looming deadline. Walking away from their desks, even for a moment, gives employees an opportunity to clear their minds and gather their thoughts. Don't require employees to work through lunch unless it's absolutely necessary. If you see an employee working through lunch, encourage him to eat outside if it's a beautiful day.

Everyone at the office plays a role when it comes to reducing workplace stress, but the role of management is the most important. Managers are responsible for creating a healthy work climate that encourages employees to perform at a high level, even when they must perform under pressure. Nurture and value your team daily while maintaining a positive attitude to create an uplifting workplace your employees enjoy.

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