ANXIETY IS PART OF AN EXECUTIVE ROLE — IT’S WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WHICH MATTERS

With leadership comes responsibility. When new to the executive role there is a great desire to prove yourself equal to that fresh responsibility. The challenge level is rarely low and the executive’s skill level is low. This is the perfect prescription for anxiety.

TIME

You have more time than you think. To take the anxiety out of a task the executive must feel they are in control of the situation. Conversations often have no time limit. You don’t have to say what you want at this particular moment. It is reasonable to say “I want to go back to this point because I am having another thought on it”. This can help control the conversation and alleviate any feelings that you must get it out now.

ASK FOR HELP

When an executive’s skill levels are maxed out, to end the feelings of anxiety they must find some way to reduce the challenge. The easiest way to do this is to share the load by asking for help.

Asking for help may be straightforward, but it’s not simple for someone who is most comfortable in a state of self-reliance. They must be prepared to swallow their pride and say, “I don’t know”. It means they have to be vulnerable.

It is important to remember that every executive feels overwhelmed at times. Executives are prone to an all-or-nothing mindset, and this can cause problems when they’re learning to manage stress.

Anxiety is going to occur. What you do to change your physiological reaction, your body’s response to anxiety is what will determine if you are a winning player. When you are in the moment you don’t have time to work on your skills, the only option you have is to adopt strategies like the above that reduce the challenge.