Leaders – do you ever feel trapped in the middle at work? Like you’re stuck between the demands of upper management and the day-to-day needs of your team?
If it sounds familiar, you’ve experienced the so-called ‘Leader Squeeze’.
Feeling like this isn’t just a personal challenge – it has a ripple effect on the people around you. Especially those in your teams at work.
But with the festive season here, it can be the perfect opportunity to reflect not just on how you’re managing your own stress – but also on how you may be impacting those you lead.
Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, the holidays can be a great time to wind down, reset and recharge before the fresh beginning of a New Year.
The ripple effect of stress
Even with the best intentions, a stressed leader will often pass on that tension to their team. It’s a well-known phenomenon, sometimes called ‘stress transmission’, and its effects aren’t always obvious.
Your team may not pinpoint exactly what’s wrong. But they’ll definitely pick up on your cues – your tone in meetings, facial expressions or perhaps even smaller signals such as how slowly you respond to messages and emails.
The result? A work environment that feels tense and uncertain, even if no one is openly calling it out… and left unchecked, it leads to anxiety and burnout for everyone involved.
The hidden costs of disconnection
When leaders are overwhelmed at work, their ability to support their teams starts to dwindle.
This isn’t as obvious as stress signals – but being disconnected also has a negative impact that’s every bit as damaging to team health.
You might find yourself withdrawing, and becoming less available to offer guidance and feedback. You miss meetings, or keep moving them to a later date. From your perspective you’re just trying to stay afloat – and that’s perfectly understandable!
But to your team, it can come across as aloofness – or even a lack of care.
This disconnection can spiral. Teams take their emotional and behavioral cues from their managers, and when you’re struggling, they can start to mirror those struggles. Cynicism, negativity and a drop in motivation can follow.
Does any of this sound familiar? You’re not alone. And it’s absolutely not your fault.
But it is something you can work to change.
Push the pause button this festive season
As the end of the year approaches, many people experience a natural urge to pause, reflect and take a little time out.
For those who celebrate Christmas or other holidays it can be a time for joy, connection and renewal. But for others, it’s simply an opportunity to step back, recharge, and mark the close of another year.
Whatever this time means to you and your team, it’s a great time to prioritize rest and wellbeing.
So why not encourage yourself and those around you to truly take a break this December? Rest isn’t a luxury – it’s essential to maintain a healthy and productive workplace.
The festive season is also a reminder of the importance of connection – whether with loved ones, friends or colleagues. And stepping away from work, even for a short while, offers some perspective and helps us refocus on what really matters.
What can you do this month to help push the pause button for a little while?
Why team health starts with you
Leaders set the tone for their teams. And when you prioritize your own wellbeing, you give your team permission to do the same.
This doesn’t mean you have to be perfect – in fact it’s more than okay to admit when you’re struggling, and to show your team a healthier way of coping with stress and burnout.
As the year draws to a close, why not try asking yourself some questions like this…
How has the year gone? What’s gone well – and what can you learn from some of the negative things that happened?
Are you taking enough rest and breaks away from your desk? Are you eating well and trying to stay active when you can?
And finally, what can you do so that you and your teams thrive in the coming year?
Looking ahead to 2025
As we approach a New Year, it’s worth thinking about how to break free from the ‘Leader Squeeze’ if you are feeling its effects at work.
This isn’t just about surviving and getting through the day-to-day – it’s about creating a healthier, more sustainable work culture.
Stress isn’t an individual experience. It spreads. But by taking care of yourself, you’re investing in the health and wellbeing of your team. And that, in turn, leads to better communication, stronger connections and a workplace where everyone feels supported.
Whether you celebrate the holidays or simply mark this time as a season of renewal – let it be an invitation to pause, reconnect, and start thinking about what a healthier approach to leadership could look like in the year ahead.
It’s not about doing everything perfectly – it’s about taking the first step.
Now available to download – A Guide to Overcoming the Leader Squeeze
We recently published a new guide, designed to help you get to grip with the Leader Squeeze. It’s packed with ideas and strategies to help you tackle this common workplace issue.
