The Anxious Leader

In recent weeks I have been reminded on more than one occasion of the paralyzing effect anxiety can have within a team or throughout an organization. Whether it is triggered by unsettling changes in the workplace, the loss of a key customer, or the pressure to do more with less even the most seasoned leaders can find themselves struggling to survive. Yet without some level of anxiety it is unlikely we would be motivated to move forward or stretch our comfortable personal boundaries.

There is a danger of equating anxiety with stress or fear but they aren’t exactly interchangeable. Stress emerges when our mind and body succumb to the relentless pressure of external factors like schedules, expectations, or workload. Eventually we reach a breaking point where our capacity to deal with these conditions is compromised. Fear is perhaps the most basic of human survival mechanisms and tends to be triggered by impending danger, however real or imagined it might be. Anxiety seems to surface most often when we face those twin realities of change or uncertainty.

Leaders can manage their anxiety by understanding and admitting what makes them anxious in the first place. There is evidence that this list won’t be the same for every leader. A new supervisor may be most anxious about her ability to deal effectively with older, more experienced colleagues. Senior managers might fear losing control or being viewed as weak in the face of uncertainty. In either case, these leaders should acknowledge what causes their anxiety, accept what they can or can’t control, and embrace the unexpected events and circumstances they will face.

When a leader falls victim to anxiety it is likely he or she will resist change as a way of managing the pain they are feeling. This leadership approach often leaves the team and broader organization confused, so now the anxiety can spread. Leaders may also create a challenging environment when they avoid change, choosing the status quo over some temporary discomfort.

The best leaders understand themselves and others, knowing what motivates and mobilizes. By embracing unknowns, leaders can actually more effectively stay the course and weather the stormy winds of change. If they also learn to channel their anxiety without allowing it to rule their thoughts and emotions, it can provide the inspiration necessary to confidently face an uncertain future. The anxious leader balances hope, restiveness, and modesty knowing that without some anxiety there will be no real achievement, without risk there can be no reward.