While it’s important that we know how to cope with stress and reduce it in a working environment, managers also have an important role to play to help reduce workplace stress. So if you’re holding a managerial position in your company, it’s important to understand the role you play in contributing or alleviating the stress of your employees.

Read on and learn how effective managers can help reduce workplace stress.

Setting clear goals
Like everything else in life, we always want to know what to expect. Whether it’s work or relationships, it’s important that you and your partner, your family or your boss are on the same page. As a manager, part of your role is to make your team members understand what the team goals are. Set expectations and emphasize the things they need to focus on. This will help guide them and keep them on the right track.

Facilitating healthy discussion
Honest and open communication in the workplace is extremely important. It is important for your employees to feel that they are listened to and that they are given the opportunity to speak up. Encourage healthy discussion among your team members. Make them feel that their opinions, thoughts and feelings. Not only will this help them unburden of too much stress but it will also help foster trust and help strengthen your working relationship.

Encouraging mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness in the workplace is becoming more and more important. Not only because mindfulness can help eliminate or alleviate stress but it’s also an excellent technique to help a person increase focus and productivity.

If your team hasn’t been practicing mindfulness in the workplace, now is the best time to encourage them to start. No matter what position they hold or role they play, learning and adapting mindfulness can do wonders!

Recognizing employees
Another way a manager can help reduce workplace stress is by recognizing employees who excel at what they do. Let’s admit it. It feels so much better when you know that your efforts are recognized especially when you have contributed something significant to the team or the company.

And because behind great companies are great employees, it’s only fair that the efforts of your people are appreciated.

Be sure to let them know how much they are valued even in simple gestures such as an email or a small announcement within your team about the great job they have been doing. This will help relieve workplace stress and boost their morale.

There’s a long list of reasons behind experiencing stress in the workplace. And with the help of these tips, you, as a manager, can better help your employees cope with stress and become more effective at work.