Everyone experiences stress, and leaders face the additional stress brought about by the unique demands of leadership: having to make decisions with limited information, to manage conflict, to do more with less . . . and faster! The consequences of stress can include health problems and deteriorating relationships. Knowing what signs of stress to look for and having a strategy for increasing your resources will help you manage leadership stress and be more effective over a long career.

Table of Contents

The Stress of Leadership                                7

Why Is Leadership Stressful?                        8

Stress Assessment                                          13

When Stress Is Who, Not What 17

Handling Your Leadership Stress               20

Less Stress, Better Leadership   28

Suggested Readings                                       29

Background                                                        29

Key Point Summary                                        31