Stress in Leadership due to getting 'Stuck in the middle'

1. Leadership in Action Session 5
Jan 31st , 2017
<Adopted on concepts from John Maxwell’s 360 degree Leadership Principles>
Instructor: Anik Saha

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‘Stuck in the Middle’

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Stress 1: Freedom to Take Decisions
The Situations leading to Confusion & Stress
Stress 2: Take Initiatives but Don’t Cross the Line
• The extent of authority and responsibility given to you
• How much empowerment?
• Unclear definition of roles and boundaries increases stress
• Good leaders grab opportunities, rarely gets limited by boundaries
• Initiatives might lead to conflict with others
• Continuously crossing the line might lead to fall

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Stress 3: Culture of Organization & Leadership Practices
Stress 4: Know Your Work
Stress 5: Desire/ Expectation of getting Recognized
• Assess organization culture might restrict empowerment
• Evaluate the positive and negative perspectives
• Weak job knowledge/skill level on work increases stress
• High expectations of getting recognitions lead to stress
• Less chance to get recognized if one leads from the middle
The Situations leading to Confusion & Stress

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Learn from Great Leaders
Be Stress Free and Lead from the Middle
Lose Some; Gain Many
Work on ‘Expectations’; Control them
• Being 2nd best is not bad
• Leading under good leaders, learning from them is the best option
• Control expectations to release stress
• Let go some; grab what you are best at
• Work on your strength
• Work on what is expected out of you; deliver on your responsibilities

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Access to Solutions; Not Stick with Problem
Become Trustworthy
Activities to Release Stress
• Integrity, trust - never compromise; never let it go
Be Stress Free and Lead from the Middle
• Build ecosystem to provide answers when stuck
• Build relationships; you never know when it helps!
• Focus other activities that can reduce stress
• Read books, engage in sports

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Acknowledgement
• THE 360 degree Leader, by John C. Maxwell