Anxiety at Work

8 Strategies to Help Teams Build Resilience, Handle Uncertainty, and Get Stuff Done

by Adrian Gostick, Chester Elton

4.7(102 ratings)

10 min read

Brief overview

This book is a practical guide to reducing workplace anxiety and creating more resilient, engaged teams. It focuses on clear strategies managers can use to promote honest dialogue, prioritize well-being, and build psychological safety. By taking a supportive, positive approach, leaders can help employees find fulfillment, reduce stress, and collaborate more effectively.

Introduction: Why Workplace Anxiety Matters

Anxiety levels are rising in many workplaces, driven by fast-paced change and job insecurity. People often conceal their worries, afraid it might harm their career prospects. While some stress is normal, chronic anxiety saps performance and undermines morale.

Leaders can be powerful forces for good when they recognize the signs of stress and take steps to provide support. Even small gestures, like scheduling regular check-ins or praising good work, can help employees feel valued and understood.

This book explores practical ways to help teams work through the challenges that cause anxiety. It provides a roadmap for managers to reduce uncertainty, nurture resilience, and keep people engaged and confident in times of change.

Reducing anxiety is not about avoiding challenges; it's about equipping people to face them with clarity and support.

Facing Uncertainty and Insecurity

One of the leading triggers of workplace anxiety is uncertainty about the future. When employees worry about layoffs, shifting priorities, or rapid technological change, their stress skyrockets, harming both their well-being and performance.

Managers often underestimate how much job insecurity impacts daily productivity. Transparent communication—regular updates about ongoing projects and how leadership is addressing risks—helps alleviate worst-case thinking.

Simple steps, like acknowledging people’s concerns or involving them in solution brainstorms, show respect and build trust. When employees know the organization’s direction, they feel more in control of their roles.

"If I had known the plan, I wouldn’t have stayed awake every night dreading the next announcement."

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What is Anxiety at Work about?

"Anxiety at Work: 8 Strategies to Help Teams Build Resilience, Handle Uncertainty, and Get Stuff Done" is a transformative guide designed to navigate the fast-paced and ever-changing workplace environment. Crafted by acclaimed authors Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, the book delves into actionable strategies for combating anxiety in professional settings. Addressing themes like psychological safety, resilient leadership, and gratitude, it highlights productive measures to tackle stressors ubiquitously witnessed in today's job landscape.

The book offers insight into fostering open communication, nurturing a supportive atmosphere, and embracing change with clarity and positivity. Through practical frameworks and illustrative examples, it elucidates the dynamics of modern workspaces and empowers leaders to buffer uncertainty while encouraging employees. With a focus on wellbeing and productivity, "Anxiety at Work" stands as a vital resource emphasizing the profound impact of jobs on mental health and the pathway to improving organizational culture.

Renowned for its engaging methodology and relatable concepts, this book embraces its role in shaping a future where teams work collaboratively, uncertainty is mitigated, and every individual finds value and fulfillment in their role. It reinforces the importance of cultivating resilience and adaptability, demonstrating how purposeful actions can create enriched workplaces.

Review of Anxiety at Work

In "Anxiety at Work," Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton demonstrate an exceptional ability to intertwine practical insights with empathetic narratives, providing a comprehensive methodology for leaders to quell workplace anxiety. The authors thoroughly explore key challenges faced by modern-day employees, offering valuable, realistic strategies to address these issues. From managing 'generation paranoia' to combating burnout, the book offers a well-rounded perspective on how leaders can foster inclusivity and psychological safety.

Among its strengths, the book showcases practical applications for alleviating anxiety, such as using gratitude as a crucial morale booster and delineating routes for career growth to reduce turnover. The emphasis on healthy debate and constructive conflict brings to light refreshing approaches to collaboration—highlighting it as essential to better problem-solving. The warm, accessible writing style enhances comprehensibility, making it an ideal read for a broad audience, including HR professionals, team managers, and general staff.

"Anxiety at Work" is a must-read for leaders striving to implement tangible change in their workplace culture. By the end, readers are equipped with a toolkit to navigate professional landscapes with finesse. The recommendations are grounded and relatable, framed to resonate across different organizational levels. This book not only guides leaders through the complexities of workplace dynamics but also serves a compassionate call to action, urging them to spearhead a new era of resilient and thriving teams.

Who should read Anxiety at Work?

Human Resource Professionals, as it offers insightful approaches to enhance workplace well-being.
Team Leaders, who can gain actionable strategies to mitigate stress and bolster team dynamics.
Young Professionals, looking to navigate career growth challenges and reduce work anxiety.
Company Executives, driven to foster a culture of psychological safety and fulfillment.
Mental Health Advocates, who aim to better understand workplace anxiety dynamics and solutions.

About the author

Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton are renowned authors and experts in employee engagement and organizational culture. Adrian Gostick is a British writer and founder of The Culture Works, a Utah-based consulting firm, with over 1.5 million copies of his books sold worldwide. Chester Elton is a Canadian writer and co-founder of The Culture Works, with over 20 years of experience helping clients engage their employees. Together, they have co-authored numerous bestselling books, including "The Carrot Principle" and "All In," and have been recognized for their work in leadership and organizational culture, with Elton ranked among the top 30 experts in leadership and organizational culture by Global Gurus in 2018.