It’s official, CEO stress can make you look older than your actual age, and it could lead to early death. I recently came across a study conducted by a group of American researchers that concluded that CEOs exposed to a distressing incident looked older than their actual ages and had reduced life expectancy.
Another article I read recently calls stress the “silent killer of top-performing CEOs.” The same piece laments that traditionally, CEOs have suffered their job stress in silence. The silence is sometimes a result of the feeling that admitting to being stressed is a sign of weakness. The good news is that today's business leaders know the effects of stress and understand the importance of managing it.
Following the pressure and stress I have faced as the Managing Director of a global leader in medical technology, services, and solutions in Southern Africa, I know all about the stresses CEOs meet. After the Covid-pandemic and other stressful events, we have faced as a country and worldwide, I’ve spent some time thinking about the effects of stress on CEOs and whether we are addressing this issue with the urgency it deserves.
The CEO job is so stressful that many have resigned to the idea that leadership and stress always cos-exist. I don’t think this should be the case. In this piece, I share my views on what is stressing CEOs today, the signs that show me I am stressed, and how I deal with the stress. Central to all my tips below is the need to take care of yourself.
We are living in a hard time to be a CEO. If you are talking about South Africa, CEO stress mainly comes from the energy crises and the escalating costs of running a business associated with it. This has led to rising inflation and eroding household incomes, making consumers spend less.
Ask any CEO, and they will tell you about the fine line they must walk when dealing with politics.
Being the chairperson of SAMED and the vice-chairperson of the American Chamber of Commerce, I know too well about this balancing act.
Many will remember the spat between the US ambassador in South Africa and the accusation that the country was supplying arms to Russia, leading to the rand crushing.
In such instances, CEOs of companies from countries involved in the conflict find themselves under pressure, often having to explain to their headquarters what is happening. Also, where government fails to provide infrastructure such as a reliable electricity grid or an effective rail and logistics network, CEOs must find ways to keep their companies moving forward.
The headline of an article published by Statistics South Africa tells the complete story of the crime situation in South Africa: “While crime increases, fear rises and trust in criminal justice system drops.” Anyone who lives in the communities in South Africa knows that the thugs rule the roost. With the lack of investment in dealing with crime, CEOs must find ways to close the gap and safeguard their shareholders' interests.
From a global perspective, we have just come out of the Covid pandemic, and many CEOs are struggling with deciding whether they should force employees back to the office or allow them to work from home. While my company has decided to adopt the hybrid model, we are also discovering many unforeseen factors with this model that we have to deal with.
Another element that stresses CEOs, no matter where they operate, is the tension between short-term and long-term goals. Often, stakeholders expect the CEO to deliver results for this month or this quarter while ensuring that time and resources are available to put in place fundamentals for the long term.
It’s clear that stress for CEOs is not just an inconvenience we can ignore, but what do I do to manage my stress?
Someone once said that stress denial trumps stress management to the extent that companies sometimes avoid using the word stress, hoping that doing so would make it disappear. I refuse to hide my anxiety and admit that I am stressed when I am.
For me, the first way of dealing with stress is admitting that no one is immune to stress. This involves identifying your stress triggers and the signs that you are under pressure. Over time, I have come to recognise my symptoms of stress, including:
Being in a position of authority, I realise that I don’t have the luxury to panic. Even when I’m under stress, I know that as the leader, it is my responsibility to steer the situation in a way that will produce the best result for all concerned.
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Having realised that the pressure will always be there when you are a CEO, I have learned to switch off from work and do the stuff I like. Apart from standard things like movies and music, I am involved in other stuff that I find meaning in, including coaching.
Over the years, I have identified the effectiveness of learning to relax and take time to recharge. Relaxing could mean switching off totally from anything to do with work. This may involve taking a holiday with loved ones where I undertake that I will not attend to anything related to work as I focus on the moment.
While the idea that CEOs must wake up at 5 in the morning is popular, I have discovered the importance of tailoring my sleep according to my preferences. For example, I don’t usually sleep before 11 pm, but I don’t like waking up too early either. So, the idea is to get enough sleep based on what you are comfortable with.
Advising others to get good sleep is easier said than done. There are times when proper sleep is a luxury for me too, but I do everything possible to ensure sound and consistent sleep.
I am conscious of the benefits of exercise in clearing my mind. However, I know the importance of enjoying my workout. So, whenever I can, I will start my day in the gym, specifically on the weekends.
I especially like the time I spend in the sauna because I can feel the stress going away as sweat and toxins leave my body. As someone that’s spent the greater part of my life working in the medical field, I know it’s also great for my cardiovascular health.
I ensure that I have my breakfast before I start my day. I always break for lunch most of the time. In this regard, monitoring what goes into my diet is always important. However, I still accept that I am human and occasionally include stuff I like, like ice cream.
Establishing boundaries is one of the most effective ways I avert stress. You establish a healthy and productive work relationship when boundaries are clear. Everyone knows their roles and responsibilities when you have explicit guidelines about accomplishing things. With no need for micromanagement, my life is easier and allows me more time to do what I like, helping me balance my personal and work life.
Stress is not always bad; sometimes, it forces us to leave our comfort zones as CEOs. The ones who benefit from it can control it through a range of strategies, including identifying signs and triggers, developing a resilient mindset, getting adequate sleep, reserving time for doing what they love, and having a healthy work-life balance.
When CEOs manage their stress successfully, their organisations can benefit from better decision-making.
