Creating Stress-Free Work Cultures

🖼 Fuseli’s “The Nightmare” (1781) is one of my favorite paintings. I like it not because it’s comforting, but because it captures something we still don’t talk about enough: what it feels like to carry unseen stress. In this iconic Romantic-era work, a woman lies draped in sleep while a grotesque imp squats on her chest. Behind her lurks a shadowy horse, eyes wide in horror. It’s a visual metaphor for night terrors, but it resonates deeply with how anxiety can feel in waking life, especially in high-pressure work environments. 👉 The truth? Mental health still isn’t treated like physical health in many organizations. We champion fitness challenges and healthy snacks in the break room but ignore signs of burnout, chronic stress, or depression. Let’s change that. Here are a few best practices I’ve seen (and implemented) that make a real difference: ✅ Normalize check-ins that go beyond performance. Managers can ask, “How’s your workload feeling this week?” Not just “Are you on track?” ✅ Make mental health resources visible and easy to access. If your EAP is buried in an intranet or requires a scavenger hunt, it won’t help anyone. ✅ Treat PTO like recovery time, not a privilege. Don’t just approve time off. Encourage it. Model it. Respect it. ✅ Design work rhythms that allow for decompression. From no-meeting Fridays to quiet hours, small tweaks reduce the cognitive load. ✅ Train leaders in emotional intelligence. Psychological safety starts at the top. Art like The Nightmare reminds us that invisible burdens are just as real and sometimes just as paralyzing as any physical obstacle. Let’s build cultures where our people don’t need to wait until nightfall to be haunted by stress . 💬 How is your organization championing mental health? What’s working—and what still feels like a dream? #MentalHealthAtWork #PsychologicalSafety #Leadership #EmployeeWellbeing #Fuseli #OrganizationalCulture #LearningBites #WorkplaceAnxiety #MentalHealthAwareness

I hate to tell you this, but healthy culture  doesn’t come from policies. Here's what really matters. 👇🏼 It’s built in small, everyday actions we choose to take. For years, I thought creating a healthy culture required big, bold moves—like grand team-building initiatives, sweeping changes, or flawless leadership. But true culture isn’t crafted through announcements or slogans. It’s shaped by the subtle, consistent behaviors of leaders and teams—behaviors that signal safety, respect, and connection. Here are 15 subtle actions that build a healthy culture: 1. You greet each person by name each morning     ↳ A simple "Good morning, [Name]" shows they    matter. 2. You acknowledge contributions publicly     ↳ Say, "I want to highlight [Name]'s work on this—   it made a difference." 3. You model vulnerability when appropriate     ↳ Share a personal learning moment: "I didn’t get    this right, but here’s what I learned." 4. You ask for input and listen without interrupting     ↳ Ask, "What do you think we could do differently?"    and take notes. 5. You give feedback as encouragement, not criticism     ↳ Replace "Why didn’t you..." with "What if    we tried..." 6. You show empathy when someone struggles     ↳ Say, "That sounds tough. I imagine you may    need [Support]." 7. You celebrate small wins, not just big ones     ↳ End meetings with, "What’s one thing we’re    proud of this week?" 8. You clarify expectations and remove ambiguity     ↳ Follow up with, "What questions do you have, or    should we revisit anything?" 9. You allow space for healthy conflict     ↳ Encourage, "Let’s hear differing perspectives to find the best solution." 10. You prioritize work-life balance for everyone     ↳ Say, "No emails after 6 PM—let’s respect    each other’s time." 11. You encourage rest and restoration     ↳ Share, "Taking breaks helps us think clearly.   Let’s pause here." 12. You offer recognition for effort, not just outcomes     ↳ Say, "I noticed how much thought you put into    this—it’s appreciated." 13. You hold yourself accountable to the same standards     ↳ Admit, "I fell short here, and I’ll work on it." 14. You foster inclusion by amplifying quieter voices     ↳ Ask, "[Name], I’d love to hear your thoughts    on this." 15. You end meetings with gratitude     ↳ Close with, "Thank you for your time and    ideas today." Healthy cultures don’t happen overnight.  They grow through consistent actions like these. Which one will you start practicing this week?  Share in the comments 👇🏼 Bravely On Together, Julia I help executives leverage brain-based strategies for smarter, effective leadership. Effort isn’t the issue—approach is. Learn how to optimize your brain with a discovery call today.

Most “stress management” initiatives in the workplace completely miss the point. April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month and during this time, we see companies sharing meditation apps, yoga classes, and breathing techniques. And yes, those help. But if your employees are constantly in fight-or-flight mode because of how they’re treated at work… no wellness app in the world is going to fix that. Here’s what the stress management conversation needs to include: - Leading teams efficiently and building trust - Setting consistent, realistic expectations - Communicating with clarity and respect - Providing feedback that’s direct and kind - Modeling healthy work-life boundaries at the top I’ve worked with organizations that didn’t realize the stress they were “managing” was actually being created inside their culture. Don’t just talk about stress. Audit the culture that's creating it. I have helped organizations create positive workplace cultures for 16 years. If you’re ready to take the conversation beyond wellness apps, I can help you start with the hard stuff - the stuff that actually works. #CivilityAtWork #LIPostingDayApril #Stress

⛱️ 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦! 🌴 Feeling the Monday blues? Over 70% people experience this, in a Gallup survey. Did you know? 59% of employees plan vacations to escape office drudgery. Creating a life that we don't need to escape from is not just a dream, it is essential for our well-being and productivity. Leaders, it's crucial for us to create a culture where we and our teams thrive every day, not just on their time off. How can we achieve this? 1. 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 - Manage by achievement, not just by attendance. Empower your team by giving them control over their schedules and work environments. 2. 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 - Provide growth opportunities to make work more rewarding. ⭐ Today, we launched our 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 for a conglomerate client's Regional sales and marketing team, featuring regular 120-minute learning sessions to supercharge growth and connection. The enthusiasm for collective growth is inspiring! 3. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤-𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - Support mental health and happiness by encouraging time off and setting boundaries for after-hours and weekends—powerful catalysts for productivity. Ready to transform your work culture? Start today by prioritising these steps. Your team—and your bottom line—will thank you. 💼✨ Ps: This is me last month on a rejuvenating vacation in Kota Kinabalu, soaking up the sun, sea, and plenty of sea sports! It's a powerful reminder to design a life—a harmonious blend of work and home—that allows me to thrive. 🌞 Let's build lives we love living, both at work and beyond! ................................... 🔔 Hi, I'm Karen, the co-founder of Influence Solutions. Our mission is to forge high trust high performance cultures everywhere. We believe this can transform our world. Join us? Follow me for insights on Leadership, Transformation, Influence and Productivity. Look forward to connecting with you.

Here’s the truth, If it costs your peace, it’s too expensive. In many work environments, many of us are conditioned to believe that relentless hustle, constant availability, and enduring toxic environments are the price of success. But what’s the real cost? Burnout, disengagement, and a deep dissatisfaction that follows you home. If you’re sacrificing your mental health, emotional well-being, or core values for the sake of your job, it’s time to reevaluate what you’re truly working toward. Success should not come at the expense of your peace. 💡 1. Establish Non-Negotiables: Set clear boundaries around what you’re willing and not willing to tolerate. Whether it’s respecting your work-life balance, refusing to engage in office politics, or ensuring your work aligns with your values, these non-negotiables act as your safeguard against unnecessary stress. If a project, client, or environment violates these boundaries, it’s time to reassess your involvement. 💡 2. Prioritize Self-Care: Success is meaningless if you’re too exhausted to enjoy it. Make time for activities that recharge you, whether it’s exercise, hobbies, or simply unplugging from work. 💡 3. Advocate for Yourself: Don’t be afraid to voice your needs and concerns. If your workload is overwhelming, speak up. If a colleague’s behavior is toxic, address it. The cost of staying silent is often far greater than the discomfort of the conversation. By advocating for yourself, you not only protect your peace but also set a standard for how you deserve to be treated. Peace of mind is the foundation upon which sustainable success is built. No job, role, or salary is worth compromising your well-being. If it’s costing you your peace, it’s simply too expensive. How do you ensure your work supports your peace rather than undermines it? --------------------- Hey, I'm Kevin, I am the founder of KEVRA: The Culture Company and provide daily posts and insights to help transform organizational culture and leadership. ➡️ Follow for more ♻️ Repost to share with others (or save for later) 🔗 Visit kevraconsulting.com to learn more about how we can help you transform your organizational culture and climate