Stress and burnout how high is it on your organisation’s agenda?

The survey, in collaboration with Bupa, also showed that stress of the job is the top challenge directors face in maintaining their health and wellbeing while fulfilling their professional responsibilities.

Recognising stress and burnout as a director and an employer is crucial for several reasons, including personal wellbeing, organisational health, and overall effectiveness as a leader. Here are some key points highlighting the importance:

Personal wellbeing:

• Health consequences: High levels of stress can lead to mental health conditions such depression and anxiety (source: Mind).
• Work-life balance: Acknowledging personal wellbeing helps directors maintain a healthy work-life balance, which is essential for long-term happiness and productivity.
• Preventing exhaustion: Early recognition of stress signs can prevent complete burnout, ensuring that the director can continue to perform effectively over time.

Organisational health:

• Leadership effectiveness: Directors are often responsible for setting the tone and culture of the organisation. A stressed or burned-out leader can negatively impact the entire team’s morale and productivity.
• Decision making: High stress levels can impair judgment and decision-making abilities, leading to poor strategic choices that can affect the company’s success.
• Employee wellbeing: Directors serve as role models. Recognising and addressing their stress can promote a culture of wellness within the organisation, encouraging employees to take care of their own mental health.

Overall effectiveness:

• Productivity: Directors who manage stress effectively are more productive and can focus better on their strategic goals (source: business.com)
• Innovation: Lower stress levels could enhance creativity and innovation, enabling directors to think more clearly and come up with better solutions.
• Sustainability: Managing stress could help directors sustain their long-term performance, ensuring they can continue to contribute value to the organisation without burning out.

Directors and senior leader often face high levels of stress due to high pressured environments, difficult, decision-making, managing teams, and delivering results. However, there are plenty of tools and strategies available that can help you manage it effectively, including:

• Self-awareness: Regularly check in with yourself to recognise early signs of stress and burnout.
• Healthy habits: Incorporate regular exercise, proper nutrition, and sufficient sleep into your routine.
• Professional support: Seek support from coaches, mentors, or mental health professionals when needed. Consider private health insurance which may provide access to services such as therapy, counselling, and medication.
• Delegation: Delegate tasks to ensure you are not overloaded and to empower your team members.
• Mindfulness and relaxation: Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, or yoga can help manage stress levels.
• Regular breaks and holiday: Take regular breaks and holidays to recharge and prevent burnout.

As an employer, you can also adopt a number of approaches and processes to encourage a healthy working environment which promotes wellbeing, such as:

• Stress management programmes: Implement stress management programmes and resources for directors and employees alike.
• Supportive work environment: Foster a work environment that encourages open communication about stress and mental health.
• Workload management: Ensure that workloads are manageable and that there are systems in place to support work-life balance.

By recognising and addressing stress and burnout, directors can not only improve their own wellbeing but also enhance their leadership effectiveness, positively influence their organisation’s culture, and drive sustainable success.

*Applies to eligible Institute of Directors members on quotes for new Bupa By You policies, and is not available in conjunction with any other offer (e.g. months free, guided care options). Discount will be reviewed on 22/10/2024 and any changes will apply to renewals and new quotes thereafter. Quotes are valid for 14 days. See full terms and conditions here.

**Families pay 10% less for a joint policy compared to the price of separate policies for each family member. Cover must include at least one adult and one or more children. Children do not have to live at the same address as the main member. This offer applies to the Bupa By You Comprehensive and Treatment and Care health insurance policies. This offer may change or be unavailable when you renew. See full terms and conditions here.

†Add more than one child under 20 years old to your policy and you’ll only pay for the eldest child, no matter how many more children you add. Children aged 20 or over cannot receive free cover or count as an ‘eldest child’ for this offer. Cover must include at least two children aged 19 or under. You’ll still receive our 10% family discount if you have free child cover. Children do not have to live at the same address as the main member. This offer may change or be unavailable when you renew. This offer applies to the Bupa By You Comprehensive and Treatment and Care health insurance policies. This offer may change or be unavailable when you renew. See full terms and conditions here.

Institute of Directors is an introducer to Insured Health Ltd. Insured Health Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No: 9886202. Registered office: Saville House, 74-90 Savile Street, Sheffield, S4 7UD.

Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ.