HBR IdeaCast
When Small Stresses Lead to Big Problems
Tue Jun 13 2023Description
Micro-stresses are small annoyances that can snowball into big problems, affecting performance, productivity, and health. They happen so quickly and briefly in routine interactions that our brains rarely recognize them. Common causes of micro-stresses are interactions in our personal and professional lives. Micro-stresses drain our capacity, affect us emotionally, and challenge our identity. Studies show that micro-stresses can have concrete impacts such as increased calorie consumption and higher blood pressure. High performers who rely on others for help often suffer from micro-stresses due to continually overcoming challenges. The accumulation of micro-stresses can have a profound effect on the trajectory of people's lives.
Insights
Micro-stresses can have concrete impacts
Studies show that micro-stresses can lead to increased calorie consumption and higher blood pressure.
Negative interactions have a greater impact
Negative interactions have three to five times the impact of positive ones.
Building a resilience network is important
Having a diverse network of people in various roles is more important than having many close friends.
Organizations can address microstresses
Organizations can promote well-being initiatives and address small impediments to work to mitigate microstresses.
Leaders should recognize their role in causing microstresses
Leaders should give their team permission to address microstresses and empower them to find solutions.
Microstresses are specific to each individual
Addressing microstresses as a team or organization can be challenging due to their individual nature.
The Microstress Effect app can help identify and address micro stresses
The Microstress Effect app helps individuals identify the micro stresses they are experiencing and create action plans.
Strategies for addressing micro stresses
Strategies include reaching back to past passions, reconnecting with dormant ties, and pivoting existing activities for authentic connections.
Connecting with others outside of work and home is beneficial
Maintaining authentic connections outside of work and family brings dimensionality to life and reduces stress.
Chapters
- Understanding Micro-stresses
- Identifying and Addressing Micro-stresses
- Building Resilience and Mitigating Micro-stresses
Understanding Micro-stresses
00:01 - 07:19
- Micro-stresses are small annoyances that can snowball into big problems, affecting performance, productivity, and health.
- They happen so quickly and briefly in routine interactions that our brains rarely recognize them.
- Common causes of micro-stresses are interactions in our personal and professional lives.
- Micro-stresses drain our capacity, affect us emotionally, and challenge our identity.
- Studies show that micro-stresses can have concrete impacts such as increased calorie consumption and higher blood pressure.
- High performers who rely on others for help often suffer from micro-stresses due to continually overcoming challenges.
- The accumulation of micro-stresses can have a profound effect on the trajectory of people's lives.
Identifying and Addressing Micro-stresses
06:54 - 19:46
- Micro stress is a result of continually overcoming challenges and absorbing more responsibilities.
- It accumulates in successful people's lives without them realizing it.
- A small email can have ripple effects, causing panic and disruption in work and personal life.
- Negative interactions have three to five times the impact of positive ones.
- Shaping interactions and removing certain stressors can have a profound effect on well-being.
- There are specific ways to fight each kind of micro stress, rather than taking a holistic approach.
- A grid with micro stresses and their sources helps identify which ones to focus on for improvement.
- Take a moment to clarify assignments or requests before reacting, preventing miscommunication and reducing micro stress.
- Consider having a quick call with colleagues to prevent rapid iteration and minimize stress caused by misalignment.
- Establish team or cultural norms for communication and collaboration to increase efficiency and reduce unnecessary stress.
- Recognize that some micro stresses can be addressed individually without involving leaders.
- Be mindful of how professional stress can impact personal life, especially when sharing frustrations with significant others.
Building Resilience and Mitigating Micro-stresses
13:05 - 31:45
- Resilience can be found by leaning on others and building a network of connections.
- A resilience network consists of people who can provide perspective, empathy, guidance, or humor.
- Having a diverse network of people in various roles is more important than having many close friends.
- Relationships can cause micro stresses but also offer solutions to problems.
- Successful individuals integrate work, life, and relationships in ways that reduce stress.
- Maintaining authentic connections outside of work and family brings dimensionality to life and reduces stress.
- Organizations can take steps to address microstresses by promoting well-being initiatives and addressing small impediments to work.
- Microstresses are not caused by toxic individuals but rather the rapidity of everyday actions in collaborative environments.
- Recognize as a leader or manager that you might be causing microstresses and give your team permission to address them.
- Microstresses are specific to each individual, making it challenging to address them as a team or organization.
- The Microstress Effect app helps individuals identify the micro stresses they are experiencing and create action plans.
- Empower your team members to address their own micro stresses by providing them with space, time, and language to discuss it.
- Strategies for addressing micro stresses include reaching back to past passions, reconnecting with dormant ties, and pivoting existing activities for authentic connections.
- Connecting with others outside of work and home can help mitigate the effects of microstresses.