5 Things You Can Do Today for Less Stress & More Joy at Work

Stress isn't the price of success—it's the thing getting in the way of it.

On this episode, Amy shares five practical actions leaders, teams, and organizations can take right now to reduce workplace stress and create the conditions for greater joy, engagement, and performance.

Drawing on insights from her national State of Stress and Joy at Work research study, Amy explains why overwhelmed teams struggle, how stress spreads through organizations, and what leaders can do to create healthier, more sustainable workplaces.

Chapters00:00 Welcome and Why Stress Wins

00:56 Where to Start With Change

02:02 Protect Capacity Not Overload

03:38 Address Stress Together

05:33 Real Joy Over Forced Positivity

09:15 Redesign Work and Find Clarity

11:29 Five-Step Recap and Sendoff

On This EpisodeWhy protecting capacity is essential for performanceHow stress spreads through teams and organizationsThe hidden cost of forced positivity at workWhat the Stockdale Paradox teaches us about leadershipWhy younger workers experience higher levels of workplace stressHow to distinguish between what's urgent and what's important

Key TakeawaysStop overwhelming people and start protecting capacity.Stop ignoring stress and start addressing it together.Stop faking positivity and start creating conditions for real joy.Stop blaming generations and start redesigning work.Stop confusing urgent with important and start pausing for clarity.