How High-Performing Teams Master Stress for Success

You’ve probably heard that workplace stress is the enemy — but that’s not the whole story. In the right dose and situation, strategic stress can actually boost productivity and innovation. The key is managing it strategically so your high-performing team doesn’t face exhaustion or psychological unsafety. Here’s how to strike that balance.

Understanding Strategic Stress

Neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki told CNBC, “Stress is a normal human emotion, but most people view stress and anxiety as feelings to fear. What I like to remind people is that to be the best version of yourself, at work or in relationships, you need that little bit of fire in your belly to energize you to be proactive and put forth your best effort.”

That “fire” she’s talking about? That’s not the kind of stress that exhausts you, it’s the kind that fuels you.

Not all stress is created equal. Positive stress, called eustress, pushes you toward a beneficial outcome. Sure, it can trigger the same physical responses as negative stress (or “distress”), but instead of draining you, it drives you.

Think about the buzz you feel when starting a new job, training for a marathon, or planning your dream wedding. That’s eustress. Now compare that to dealing with a financial burden or a family member battling a serious illness. That’s distress.

Studies have found three sources of eustress: achieving meaningful goals, engaging in fulfilling experiences, and leveraging individual strengths.

When we talk about strategic stress in teams, we mean eustress, not distress. Used wisely, it becomes rocket fuel for performance. Goals get crushed. Wins are celebrated. Growth accelerates. Creativity thrives.

Benefits of Strategic Stress for Teams

Research has shown that strategic eustress can sharpen concentration, boost focus, enhance resilience, and ramp up motivation in general.

In the workplace, it goes even further. Studies link it to better performance, higher job satisfaction, and even stronger loyalty to the organization.

Why? Because when stress is used strategically, people feel a heightened sense of necessity. They’re inspired to think bigger, push harder, and create meaningful change, not just for themselves, but for their teams and the organization as a whole.

Implementing Strategic Stress in the Workplace

Bringing strategic stress into the workplace starts with figuring out where it will actually move the needle.

Ask yourself: What are our team’s most urgent goals right now? What does the organization need most? Where can we raise the bar in our industry? Which big wins have always felt just out of reach? That’s where you apply pressure — not just for stress’s sake, but with purpose.

Once you’ve identified those areas, introduce your strategic, stress-inducing goals along with clear timelines. For example, set stretch targets that are 15-20% above current performance levels with specific milestones every two weeks, ensuring goals are challenging but achievable. Communicate them openly and specifically so everyone knows exactly what’s expected, what their role involves, and how to prioritize under the new pressure.

From there, manage stress levels effectively by encouraging open communication. Ensure employees can express their feelings and concerns, so they feel psychologically safe.

And don’t forget: even positive stress can trigger the same physical reactions as negative stress. Equip your teams with the right tools and resources to handle it well, whether that’s investing in stress management workshops or health coaches.

Above all, make sure they’re still prioritizing their well-being and healthy habits. That’s what keeps strategic stress a performance booster instead of a performance killer.

Potential Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Be careful — even positive stress can tip into the negative if you’re not paying attention. The key is to introduce strategic stress gradually and check in regularly with your team. Ask how they’re feeling about their workload and their overall job satisfaction.

It’s crucial that managers watch for warning signs among teams that may indicate that eustress has transformed into negative stress. Increased absenteeism, reduced engagement, team conflicts, and heightened emotions are all red flags.

If you ignore these signs, your well-intentioned strategic stress can backfire, leading to illness, lower productivity, and even higher turnover. The goal is to keep stress as a motivator, not a performance or well-being killer.

The Bottom Line

Strategic stress, when managed well, can transform a good team into a great one by fostering resilience, innovation, and collaboration.

Assess your team’s stress levels and consider implementing strategic stress practices. When you do, share your experiences and insights in the comment section below or on social media, tagging us at @ArootahCoach on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Looking for more help introducing strategic stress and stress management strategies to your team? Get started with a complimentary call to learn more about our corporate wellness offerings and how we can help you!