How can a leader tell when their software team is struggling with high levels of stress? What are the warning signs?
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Director of IT in Consumer Goods2 months ago
I agree with Paromita, but I'd like to add that setting clear priorities and objectives can help mitigate stress. We track KPIs like on-time delivery and SLA response time. If these are not being met despite providing reasonable time and clear expectations, it could be a sign of stress.However, it's important to note that some people may struggle with understanding what is being asked and what needs to be delivered. It can be challenging to identify if someone is stressed based on this alone. As long as we have a disciplined plan and best practices in place, and we provide reasonable time, it's okay if someone is stressed. The key is to ensure that expectations are clear.
In my experience, when I have one-on-one conversations or team meetings, signs of stress often surface. Sometimes, decisions have been made under stress, and people were not in a thinking mode but rather reacting or trying to cope.
Another indicator is our company surveys. Although not an exact science, they often highlight issues with work-life balance that are impacting personal situations. This feedback is very actionable as it comes directly from the people.
Lastly, a significant marker is the team's ability for innovation. If we are trying to do something innovative and we're not seeing people able to engage or bring in ideas, it could be a sign of stress. As leaders, we get a lot of data - it's a matter of pausing, thinking, and finding ways to address these issues.