Build Mental Toughness That Works To Better Manage High-Pressure Jobs

Building Mental Toughness at Work: Insights from Industry Veterans

We delved into the critical topic of managing stress and building mental resilience in the workplace.

Guest:

Christina Lim, brought over 30 years of corporate experience to the table, including her recent ventures into advising startups through high-pressure situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Stress Epidemic in Modern Workplaces

The conversation kicked off with a stark acknowledgment of the pervasive stress in today’s work environments, especially in fast-paced cities like Singapore. Christina, drawing from her extensive background in advertising, marketing, and the startup ecosystem, offered a unique perspective on the challenges faced by professionals at various levels.

“I’ve been there, I’ve fallen, I’ve tripped, I’ve bruised my way along the way,” Christina candidly shared. “I can confidently say I’ve been through that, and I’d like to share my learning as well.”

The Middle Manager’s Dilemma

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the particular stressors faced by middle managers. Christina aptly described their position:

“Middle means you are not the one who’s running the show, but you are kind of in a way following instructions or in a way you have to make things happen. And of course, middle, because you have somebody who’s working together with you, and you have to guide them and support them along the way in the day-to-day operations.”

She outlined several key sources of stress for middle managers:

1. Organisational pressure to execute plans set by upper management
2. The need to influence decision-makers without full authority
3. Managing diverse stakeholders, including team members and suppliers
4. Lack of clear information or direction from superiors
5. Interpersonal challenges in a relationship-driven role
6. The pressure to acquire new skills in a rapidly changing technological landscape

The Root of Workplace Stress

Christina offered a profound insight into the core of workplace stress: “The reason why we feel stressed is all, is all, there’s all the symptoms. The core of it all is, that is, a lot of control. We have no control.”

She elaborated on how this loss of control stems from the stark contrast between the structured paths we follow in education and early career, and the unpredictable nature of professional life, especially in dynamic fields like startups.

Strategies for Building Mental Toughness

The conversation then shifted to practical strategies for developing resilience and managing stress. Christina emphasized the importance of clarity:

“What I do is actually I help my team by giving them clarity. So for example, let’s say we need to, the instruction is that we have to go from point A to point B. Um, so instead of telling the team to say go from point A to point B, which some leader would tell, who would basically advise the team, is to understand why we need to move from point A to point B.”

Other key strategies discussed included:

1. Open communication channels between team members and leadership
2. Providing context for decisions and changes
3. Building interpersonal relationships beyond formal work interactions
4. Balancing efficiency with effectiveness in communication

The Power of Face-to-Face Interactions

In an age of digital communication, Christina highlighted the enduring value of in-person meetings:

“There are times I would travel to that place just for the 15-minute conversation with that boss, right? And you say, oh, when you come all the way here, I say, I want to build a relationship.”

This approach, while potentially less efficient, can be highly effective in building trust and uncovering unspoken information crucial for success.

As the conversation wrapped up, it became clear that building mental toughness in the workplace is not just about individual resilience, but also about fostering a supportive environment, clear communication, and strong interpersonal relationships. For professionals at all levels, but especially middle managers, these insights offer valuable tools for navigating the complex and often stressful world of modern work.

You can check their full interview on Wise & Shine, Episode 87 on Spotify, YouTube, Apple podcast.