Elevate Classics: Morra Aarons-Mele on The Anxious Achiever
Feb 15, 2024
auto_awesome
Morra Aarons-Mele, host of The Anxious Achiever and author of The Anxious Achiever, joins Robert Glazer on Elevate Podcast to discuss anxiety among leaders, the connection between high achievement and anxiety, the spectrum of anxiety, building resilience, effective communication of public health issues, and the role of anxiety in personal growth and leadership.
Anxiety can be both a motivating factor and a response to perceived uncertainty for leaders.
When harnessed effectively, anxiety can be a useful tool for high achievers.
Leaders should prioritize building healthy team dynamics and promoting open communication, empathy, and support among team members to alleviate anxiety in the workplace.
Deep dives
Anxiety in Leaders
Anxiety is a common experience for many leaders and it comes with the job. Leaders are paid to think about the future and be aware of potential risks and uncertainties. Anxiety can be both a motivating factor and a response to perceived uncertainty. It is important for leaders to understand and manage their anxiety to prevent it from becoming overwhelming.
The Positive Side of Anxiety
Anxiety is not always a negative experience. It has served a survival purpose for humans throughout history. Anxiety can heighten our senses and help us be alert to potential dangers. It can also motivate us to take action and be prepared for different situations. When harnessed effectively, anxiety can be a useful tool for high achievers.
The Impact of Toxic Managers
Leaders can create an environment that alleviates anxiety by not being toxic. It is crucial for leaders to avoid behaviors that contribute to toxic work cultures. Toxic managers can negatively impact the mental health of their teams, even if the organization has implemented mental health initiatives. Addressing toxic leadership is essential for creating a positive and supportive work environment.
Transparency and Vulnerability
Leaders who are open and transparent about their own mental health challenges can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace. Sharing personal experiences can foster a sense of psychological safety and encourage others to seek support when needed. It is important for leaders to create a culture that values mental well-being and supports employees in managing their anxiety.
The Role of Team Dynamics
Team dynamics play a crucial role in alleviating or exacerbating anxiety in the workplace. Even if the organization has mental health resources available, toxic team environments can still negatively impact employees' mental health. Leaders should prioritize building healthy team dynamics and promoting open communication, empathy, and support among team members.
Morra Aarons-Mele is the host of The Anxious Achiever, a top-10 management podcast that helps people rethink the relationship between their mental health and their leadership. Morra founded Women Online and The Mission List, an award-winning digital-consulting firm and influencer marketing company dedicated to social change in 2010 and sold her businesses in 2021. She is also the author of a bestselling book, The Anxious Achiever, which published in 2023.
In this classic episode, Morra joined host Robert Glazer on the Elevate Podcast to talk about her book, how to turn anxiety into an advantage, and much more.
