Stress has significant negative impacts on both individuals and organizations. It is estimated to cost US employers $300 billion annually in healthcare costs and missed work. Most people regularly experience physical and psychological symptoms of stress, and many cite work as a leading cause. Unmanaged stress can weaken the body and increase risks of various health issues. It also impacts brain function and cognitive performance. Neuroscience research shows the brain can rewire itself through changes in thoughts and behaviors, offering hope for managing stress. Leaders play a key role, as their actions are a major workplace stressor, but creating a supportive environment where stress can be openly discussed enables sustainable change for both individuals and organizations.

1. Stress, Neuroscience and
the Impact on
Organizations
Dr Kate Price
4th May 2018 1
Dr. Kate Price
Executive Coach & Organizational Development Consultant.
www.drkateprice.com

2. WHAT IS YOUR STRESS LEVEL?
1- LOW STRESS
5- HIGH STRESS
2

3. 3

4. Stress Facts
4
• $300 Billion annually is the cost of stress to employers in the USA through
healthcare costs and missed work alone.
• 77% of people regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress
• 73% of people regularly experience psychological symptoms caused by stress
• 33% of people feel they live with extreme stress
• 76% of people cite work as the leading cause of stress
• 70% of workers in the U.S are emotionally disconnected from work and are
less productive, costing U.S businesses $450-$550 billion annually
• Unhappy workers are between 10% and 30% less productive

5. Stress
A difficult topic!
5

6. Our Body’s Response to Stress
6
• Heart rate increases
• Blood pressure increases
• Feel hot or cold
• Muscles tense
• Cold or sweaty hands
• Stuttering
• Breath becomes faster and shallower
• Dry mouth
• Grinding teeth
• Hair stands up on end
• Pupils dilate

7. Inside and Unseen
• Increased production of cortisol and
adrenaline
• Immune system becomes suppressed
• Digestive processes shut down
• Glucose is released from the liver
7

8. Stress is dangerous because it is not
just a feeling!
8

9. 9
Most of us experience stress where it is NOT the
most appropriate response.
Stress isn’t the problem; it is the way our bodies
use it in modern society.

10. The body becomes weaker
10
• Lowered immunity
• Panic attacks
• Headaches
• Back pain
• Digestive issues: IBS
• Weight gain or loss
• Allergies

11. The body becomes vulnerable
• Increased risk of neurological disorders; eg: Parkinson’s
• Mental health problems
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
11

12. Workplace stress is directly responsible
for:
❖25% sickness absence
❖70% visits to the doctor
❖85% of serious illnesses
– Health and Safety Executive (2015)
12

13. Me, Stressed? No, Never!
13

14. Our Brain Under Stress
• Difficulty focusing and concentrating
• Long term memory capacity is reduced
• Inability to retain or learn new information
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Poor judgement
• Lack of attention
• Difficulty making decisions
• Disorganization
• Forgetfulness
• Racing thoughts
• Global cognitive impact
14

15. Types of stress
• External Stress: Created by factors outside
ourselves
• Internal Stress: Personal reactions to events,
thoughts or emotions
15

16. WHAT IS YOUR STRESS LEVEL?
1- LOW STRESS
5- HIGH STRESS
16

17. Whether you focus on
wellbeing or profits,
Your people MUST come first.
17

18. In what ways can the
behavior of managers/leaders
cause stress in the workplace?
18

19. Management Behavior:
a major cause of stress in the workplace
❖ Micromanagement
❖ Authoritarian approach
❖ Lack of consistency
❖ Not listening to employees, issues, feedback, ideas or need for development
❖ Lack of transparency in decision making
❖ Not giving credit
❖ Assuming that everyone is ok
❖ No consideration of work life balance
❖ Not understanding teams workload/ unrealistic deadlines
❖ Hoping issues will resolve themselves/turning a blind eye
❖ Last minute communication
❖ Not managing your own stress
19

20. 20

21. Neuroplasticity
The brain can reorganize itself by forming
new neural connections throughout life.
We can create change by altering our
thoughts and behaviors
Change is ALWAYS possible
21

22. So what can we do?

23. Creating Sustainable Change
• ALL change begins at the level of the
individual
• Leaders must pay attention to how their
decisions and actions impact others
• Stress is not a weakness, so create an
environment where it is acceptable to talk
about it
23

24. For a team or organization to function at its optimum,
each individual member must be functioning at
their optimum.
- Dr. Kate Price
24

25. Questions
Get in touch:
• kate@drkateprice.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkateprice/
• www.drkateprice.com
25