CEOs share how they deal with workplace stress and anxiety

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I like these messages from Fast Company’s “30-second MBA” series so much I’ve provided a link to the videos and highlights below. Whether you manage a multinational corporation or work for yourself, it’s important to stay chilled and focused.

Alan Mulally, CEO of Ford Motor Company: Have a clear plan for where the business is now and where it’s going. Review it regularly so you know where you are now and what needs special attention.

Diaz Nesmoney, Founder, President and CEO of Jivox: Stay calm, portray calmness that other people can recognize and feel. Over-communicate—talk about what’s happening and also listen carefully to what people are worried about; that two-way communication helps everyone accept, absorb and talk about a way going forward.

Genevieve Bell, Director of user experience, Intel Digital Home Group: Communicate clearly; be as honest and transparent as you can be about everything that’s going on. Be physically present when you can be. Be clear about what people are doing, and when they’re doing it well, reward them for it.

Porter Bayne, Co-founder of Ameritocracy: If you’re a start-up company, connect with other people who have been through what you’re doing and who have succeeded and failed at it. Realizing that the stress you’re feeling is fairly normal takes away most of it fairly quickly.

Antony Young, CEO, Optimedia US: Stress is something that’s always going to happen and you just need to learn to deal with it. Don’t fret about anything you can’t control. This will be good for you and the people around you.