Raquel Gomes, Founder & CEO — Stafi.
Stress is often framed as the villain to our well-being. But what if I told you that stress, when understood and managed correctly, can be a driving force for growth, resilience and even success? Leaders and business owners face unique stressors daily, and mastering stress is a critical skill to navigating today’s challenges.
As a clinical psychologist and business owner, I’ve experienced firsthand how stress can shape both personal and professional growth. Stress has impacted my life in profound ways—sometimes pushing me to achieve more than I thought possible and other times leaving me feeling overwhelmed. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that understanding stress—its effects on the body, how it works and how to manage it—is essential to turning it from an obstacle into an asset.
Understanding The Stress Response
Stress begins in the brain. When we perceive a threat—whether it’s a looming deadline or a tough negotiation—the hypothalamus triggers the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare your body for a “fight-or-flight” response: your heart rate increases, breathing quickens and energy surges. This response was crucial for survival in early humans, but in the modern world, chronic activation can take a toll.
As a woman, I’ve noticed that stress sometimes feels magnified by the hormonal changes my body experiences and the societal pressures placed on me. The expectation to excel professionally while managing personal responsibilities creates a unique layer of stress that many women in leadership can relate to. It’s important to acknowledge these factors—not as limitations but as realities to navigate. Recognizing how stress impacts us individually helps us create strategies to manage it effectively.
The Double-Edged Sword: Stress And Health
Prolonged stress can have serious implications for mental and physical health. Chronic stress has been linked to issues like cardiovascular events, anxiety disorders and unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as overeating—in 2013, The American Psychological Association found that 38% of adults surveyed had overeaten or eaten unhealthy foods in the previous month due to stress. In the legal field alone, stress-related issues are especially pronounced, likely contributing to high rates of mental health struggles. Lawyers’ suicides are also 91% more likely to have job problems factor into their suicides than other suicides.
I’ve seen this in my own journey. There was a time when stress disrupted my sleep and left me feeling constantly exhausted. My mental clarity suffered, and even my decision-making as a leader became more reactive than proactive. It was a wake-up call for me to reevaluate how I approached stress. Instead of seeing it as a constant enemy, I started viewing it as a signal—a cue to slow down, set boundaries or adjust my priorities. These changes not only improved my well-being but also enhanced my effectiveness as a leader.
Harnessing Stress For Growth
Not all stress is bad. In fact, some stress is essential for personal and professional growth. Some have suggested that trauma can catalyze posttraumatic growth, where individuals emerge stronger, more resourceful and emotionally resilient after adversity. In leadership, stress often forces us to confront challenges, innovate and adapt.
Psychology professor Kathryn Grant made a statement that has impacted my point of view on stress. “Posttraumatic growth is what our great religions and philosophies and cultural practices and wise grandmothers have taught us about: You can’t run through sorrow, you’ve gotta walk through it,” Grant said. “It’s those big things where we are taken down emotionally—and we do come out the other side and we grow.” I’ve found that facing stress head-on, instead of avoiding it, can transform challenges into opportunities. Leaders who learn to manage their stress often develop stronger teams, sharper decision-making skills and greater emotional intelligence.
Reflecting on my own leadership journey, I’ve found that some of my greatest professional achievements came during periods of intense stress. Whether it was launching a new initiative or navigating unexpected challenges, those moments forced me to dig deep and find creative solutions. They also taught me the importance of resilience and the power of leaning on a supportive team during tough times.
Strategies To Transform Stress From An Obstacle Into An Asset
1. Reframe stress: Shift your perspective. View stress as a sign of growth and an opportunity rather than a weakness.
2. Develop resilience: Cultivate habits like mindfulness, exercise and regular downtime to recharge your mental and physical energy after stressful workdays.
3. Set boundaries: Balance is not about doing everything; it’s about doing what matters most. Learn to delegate and say no.
4. Seek support: Surround yourself with mentors, peers or professionals who can provide perspective and encouragement.
5. Lead by example: Your response to stress sets the tone for your organization. Model healthy stress management for your team.
Stress is inevitable, but with the right mindset and tools, it can become a crucial part of growth and achievement. For leaders and business owners, mastering stress is not just about surviving—it’s about thriving in the face of adversity.
As a business owner and psychologist, I truly believe that understanding stress—physiologically, mentally, and emotionally—is the key to unlocking its potential. It’s about striking the right balance: recognizing when stress becomes harmful but also embracing the moments when it pushes us to grow. For women, this balance is especially crucial. By addressing the unique challenges we face and equipping ourselves with practical tools, we can transform stress into a powerful ally in our leadership journey.
How are you harnessing stress in your leadership journey?
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Read the full article here
