Stress in a Nutshell

No more
HIPPO Facts of Stress The reaction is automatic and not under
the control of the will. It is the managers
decisions Stress blocks the pathways in the brain that and leaders job to create an
need to be open for effective action, environment that removes stress to
decision-making, and learning. The stress enable people to use their brainpower

and the connection to Leadership

response cannot be tamed or trained. to innovate, learn and be agile.

Reaction to Stress The Cause of Stress

Version 1.0

Max
The Stress Cone Stressors External stress
Inability to act
Internal stress
Maximum Collaboration, Constructive Stress is the body's reaction to demands Stress reactions occur in Doubt Worry
avaliability of dialogue, Positive attitude, of various kinds. It is an adaptation and everyone as soon as we Pressure of time Difficult decisions
brainpower Creativity, Patience, Agility. defense mechanism that is initially feel threatened for any Anger The impact Isolation
reason. It does not need to
Workload of stress Pressure to perform
Brainpower

positive as it prepares us to fight or flight,

but harmful if it becomes too strong or be of a physical nature, but Low support Insecurity in my role
can also be experienced
Anxiety Rigid
Limited Access Stereotype Behaviour long-lasting.
threats to, for example, Official statements Inability to think Loneliness in my role
A way to visualize how stress affect the reputation, role in the
group or self-esteem.
Conflicts Disappointments
access to our brain is the Stress Cone,
Shut Down Reflex Behaviour which schematically shows the Policies and directives Difficult priorities
relationship between stress and access to Stressed individuals, that
the intellect. form teams, can lead to Relationship problems Perceived expectations
stressed organizations.
Suppression techniques Conflicts between my
Black Out Survival Behaviour different roles

Panic Fight or Behaviours under Stress

Flight
Increased sick leave due to stress Generalize based on a small amount of data Become operational and lose the overview
Sick leave due to stress has increased with 359% Have difficulties in reviewing and evaluating information Think about what happened instead of accepting
h
Cras between 2010-2017.

Min
Source: Försäkringskassan, Swedish administrative Receive information passively and not actively seek and thinking ahead
authority for social insurance information that can go against your opinion Try to do many things at once, multitasking
Draw hasty conclusions Lose perspective of time - prioritize the wrong things and

The Compassionate The Stress Curve Not delegate or accept the help of others focus on something other than the main goal

Soothing, Caring &

Mind Overestimate or underestimate problems Give complex or unclear tasks and assignments to others
If the task or situation is perceived as a threat, the
Contentment System individual moves down in the stress cone - which means Lose perspective and have difficulty to see the Stress reactions also include emotions, such as
Function: to feel safe & less access to the intellect, and it has an accelerating situation from different points of view
Incentive & content with the way things are effect. You have maximum capability high up in the cone
discomfort, fear, anxiety, anger, shame, and guilt.
Resource-Seeking Hormone: oxytocin and not over the top in the
System
Manage Stress
Feelings: content, safe,
Function: to motivate us towards connected, cared for Remove the stressors or reduce their effect by temporarily remove
incentive & resources to survive & trusted stressors. “Itʼs a tough deadline, so first take a coffee and relax”
Task, problem, assignment
Hormone: dopamine
Thinking; Good enough for now and safe enough to try
Performance

Feelings: wanting,
pursuing, achieving Threat & Self Help each other; "Take it easy, I'll help you if needed"
& consuming
Protection System If it is perceived If it is perceived Get a buddy at work
Function: to pick up threats as a challenge as a threat
Take great care of everyone's opportunities to feel success and
easily & self-protect
attention. Focus on positive things
Hormone: adrenaline & cortisol
What is
Fix the system Seek information to clarify the situation, look into the structures
going on in Feelings: anger, anxiety Clarify
& disgust Optimal and try to understand what causes the stress
my body?
concentration
Reflect together with others about what has happened,
is happening and can happen to learn and create action readiness
Work for an open, objective and friendly climate. If you are a
Infographic Poster by: Good leader, it is of the utmost importance to be “standing on the same
[email protected] overview side” of the problem and not to be a problem
[email protected] Stress
[email protected] Buddy up! Dare to make necessary decisions early to get them out of the way
h Focus on positive things
Cras

The Stress Cone and Stress Curve is based on research from the Swedish Armed Forces. The Compassionate Mind - A new Approach to Lifeʼs Challenges, Gillber P. (2009), Constable & Robinson Free download of poster at dandypeople.com/posters