By: Jessica Coffield

In the fast-paced corporate world, stress is a constant factor that can hinder productivity and workplace morale. According to the American Institute of Stress, over 80% of American workers experience work-related stress, making it a significant issue for businesses across industries. Enter Jessica Coffield, among the Top Coach & Consultants of 2023 by USA Today, a professional speaker and author of the 7-Day Mental Fitness Bootcamp book. Jessica is a recognized stress management, leadership, and wellness expert, offering solutions to create healthier workplace environments.

As the owner of Endless Possibilities Life & Business Coaching Services, Jessica has spent years honing her coaching methods to help employees and leaders manage stress effectively. Her approach centers on leadership training and stress management planning to align employees with strategic goals to improve performance. “Stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to control us,” Jessica explains. “With the right tools and support, we can foster a fulfilling career without overwhelming stress.”

Four Key Strategies Leaders Can Use to Reduce Workplace Stress

In her work, Jessica has identified four key strategies that are critical in reducing stress in the workplace:

1. Set Employees Up for Success: One of the most common causes of workplace stress is the pressure of tight deadlines. Jessica advocates for creating well-thought-out project plans with clear expectations. Jessica warns, “If hardworking employees feel that their best effort is consistently not productive enough to excel at the work they do, they will start to disengage. This should scare leaders, especially when it is avoidable.” By setting achievable goals and providing clear instructions, leaders can empower their teams to succeed, boosting morale and productivity.
2. Qualified Leadership and Communication: Effective leadership is built on communication. Quoting Harvard Business Dean Nitin Nohria, Jessica states, “Communication is the real work of leadership.” She emphasizes that leaders must clearly define roles, expectations, and project goals to reduce confusion and stress. Clear communication will also help employees feel secure and maintain focus during organizational changes by reducing stress-inducing uncertainty.
3. Strategic Planning: Jessica emphasizes the value of pre-planning projects and company changes with a dedicated, strategic plan of action. This plan should include essential talking points that are critical to the successful execution of the project, along with a circle-back system to ensure the plan is being followed and that communication is clearly understood. Without this, leaders risk overwhelming employees and lowering morale. “Planning is critical to success, but it must be grounded in logic and strategy,” she advises. When employees see that their leaders have a well-reasoned plan, they feel more confident and empowered to perform their roles effectively.
4. Align Key Players with the Right Positions: Jessica emphasizes the final strategy of ensuring employees are placed in roles that match their skills. “Leaders need to know their workforce,” she says. By aligning the right people with the right tasks, companies can reduce unnecessary stress, minimize workload overflow, and identify potential skill gaps that must be addressed.

Leadership That Reduces Stress

After working with numerous companies, Jessica has seen firsthand the profound impact of quality leadership and proper employee alignment on reducing stress levels. “The most common deficits I see are poor communication and a misalignment of talent,” she says. By addressing these issues, companies can significantly reduce stress, foster positive morale, and create a more productive workforce.

With her expertise in stress management, Jessica Coffield continues to guide companies toward healthier, more efficient work environments. Through her coaching, speaking engagements, and publications, she offers tools that equip leaders and employees alike to manage stress, communicate better, and succeed professionally. To learn more, visit Endless Possibilities Life & Business Coaching Services.

Published by: Nelly Chavez