Why your boss’s stress could be affecting the whole office
Parkmore occupational therapist Thobekile Lusinga-Stephano says unmanaged leadership stress can lower morale, reduce productivity and damage workplace culture.
Burnout isn’t only affecting employees. According to Parkmore occupational therapist and health coach Thobekile Lusinga-Stephano, leaders who fail to manage their own stress can unintentionally create unhealthy workplace environments that impact everyone around them.
The founder of Steph Wellness said burnout develops when prolonged workplace demands consistently outweigh the resources available to cope.
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“Many leaders experience decision fatigue. It becomes difficult to make decisions; they may delay important choices, delegate more than usual, or even make poor decisions because their cognitive capacity has declined.”
She explained that burnout also affects concentration, motivation, emotional well-being, and physical health.
“It’s an emotional exhaustion that sleep alone cannot fix. It often requires broader lifestyle changes.”
According to Lusinga-Stephano, leaders who neglect their well-being often project their stress without realising it.
“If leaders are not mindful of their own well-being, there’s a high chance that stress will spill into their communication and relationships. They may start micromanaging or placing unnecessary pressure on employees.”
She believes workplace culture starts at the top. “If employees constantly feel like they’re walking on eggshells, emotional safety disappears, morale drops, and productivity suffers.”
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To prevent this, Lusinga-Stephano encourages leaders to make emotional regulation part of their daily routine.
Among her recommended strategies is the STOP technique:
1. Stop when emotions begin rising.
2. Take a breath.
3. Observe what is happening internally.
4. Proceed intentionally instead of reacting.
She also recommends grounding exercises, mindful breathing, regular micro-breaks throughout the day, and creating a calming routine before work begins.
“Even one minute to pause, breathe or mindfully enjoy a cup of tea can interrupt the body’s stress response,” she said.
Lusinga-Stephano concluded by saying, “Our outside world is sustained by everything happening on the inside.
When leaders take care of themselves, they’re able to create healthier, more supportive workplaces for everyone.”
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