Pressure for a leader is the influences of persuasion, intimidation or circumstances that are trying to force the leader to do something. Though we may try to define some influences as positive, referring to pressure is always referencing the negative.
The pressure of circumstances. Circumstances are most often beyond control. They can become distractions. Maintaining focus is difficult when many factors, from people to suppliers to customers to even external forces are competing for your attention. Events in culture especially can ambush the leader with little or no warning and often compel a response. Researcher Robert Karasek of the University of Massachusetts identified the central issue in work pressure is the level of demand versus the amount of control.[1] The less your ability to make decisions to direct a given circumstance, the greater the pressure you face.
The pressure of relationships. Leaders as people want to be respected and well-liked. In leadership, though, managing disagreement and personalities will likely lead to circumstances where one is not liked by all or respected by all. When leader must deliver bad news to their team, or terminate an employee, or navigate relational issues in the workplace, or deal with difficult people, they can easily become the lightning rod for all relational disfunctions. Even among friends, relationships can be filled with anxiety and tension over disagreements or misunderstandings. Relationships are perhaps the most common of pressures for leaders to face.
The pressure of performance. A product may fail. A deadline may not be met. An event might be a dad. These failures also can bring about a lack of morale in the organization. Then there are the burdensome expectations that may be heaped on you. A leader may face all of these pressures. Even meaningful work can increase pressure to perform well. And there are the negative consequences for poor performance. Organizations often talk about leaders “thriving under pressure”—the greater the pressure, the greater their performance. A study by the Academy of Management Journal found, however, the greater the work pressure, the more likely an individual was to act in an uncivil or dysfunctional manner. Though these employees were more engaged in their work, they had more difficulty self-regulating, dealing with depression, and often felt threatened by individuals or circumstances.[2]
The price of pressure. A recent study revealed that 80% of employees complain about pressure at work, and almost 60% want to quit because of high stress.[3] As a leader, you must learn how to manage and channel pressure productively. Job stress costs American business $300 billion a year in health costs, absenteeism and poor performance. Depressive illness, a common side effect of job stress, in employees is associated with an average 10 annual sick days.
The antidote to pressure. The solution to pressure oddly is not rest or calm. The answer according to Scripture can be found in Psalm 119:143. The Psalmist says, “Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.” Another translation reads, “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in Your commands.” When you are overwhelmed, overworked and under pressure, the Bible says the antidote is joy. And where is that joy found? The Psalmist again tells us that it is in His Word, the Bible. This is more than just reading it or speaking it, but rather putting it into practice.
Throughout Scripture we find instruction and advice on what to do in times of stress. When pressure makes us angry, the Bible says, “Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20). When pressure makes it difficult for us to find answers or direction, the Bible reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he is to ask of God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). And when pressure becomes a burden too great to bear, Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved.”
In Philippians, Paul records commands from the Lord that can restore our peace quickly. “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your requests known to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Joy under pressure comes as we seek out God’s Word and obey the commands we find there. And in God’s Word we find many offers to give our burdens over to God, to trust Him, to pray, and to receive His peace in the midst of our pressure.
[1] https://www.worktolive.info/blog/five-ways-to-unleash-the-antidote-to-work-stress-and-overwhelm-control
[2] https://cmaconsult.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-performance-pressure/
[3] https://www.lollydaskal.com/leadership/lead-pressure-remain-calm/