Anxiety: The Invisible Obstacle to Achieving Greatness

1 in 5 of your employees are stifled by it.

Do you or someone you know struggle with anxiety?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 19.1% of U.S. adults faced this challenge in 2023/2024, and the numbers are trending upwards. The irony is that many people don’t openly discuss their struggles, meaning you might have family members or employees grappling with it without even realizing it.

Why Should You Care?

Anxiety is no walk in the park! Having several family members who experience it, I’ve witnessed firsthand the daily hurdles they navigate—mood swings, indecision, fatigue and a general disdain for the anxiety itself. It's tough to watch loved ones in such a state, but there’s a silver lining: understanding and addressing anxiety can lead to significant improvements in both personal and professional environments.

Consider this: if 1 in 5 people around you are dealing with anxiety, how might this impact your business? Performance, engagement, and overall well-being could be taking a hit. As leaders, we have a dual responsibility—to care for our team members and to cultivate a thriving workplace. It’s not just a moral duty; it’s a savvy business move.

At The Executive Lab, we propose that leaders and organizations that proactively encourage, support and facilitate training for well-being will have a competitive advantage in the next decade. Complementing this with human performance training will lead to an even greater advantage.

Beyond EAP's

Many organizations offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), but the reality is that utilization rates hover around just 3% to 6% in the U.S. according to the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA).

This highlights the need for a more proactive approach. Imagine making well-being training mandatory for all employees! Yes, there’s an upfront cost, but the dividends in performance, retention, and productivity are well worth it.

Employees managing anxiety often struggle to perform at their best compared to those who can effectively cope. So, let’s tackle this head-on!

Understanding Anxiety: State vs. Trait

Anxiety comes in two flavors which are often confused: state anxiety and trait anxiety.

• State Anxiety is temporary and arises from specific situations—think public speaking or high-stakes meetings.

• Trait Anxiety is more entrenched; it’s a part of a person’s makeup and can range from mild to severe. This type can significantly affect both personal and professional lives if left unaddressed.

When individuals don't know how to deal with trait anxiety effectively, they have problems in their professional and personal lives. Eventually, it creeps up on them and their problems get bigger and bigger.

If there are people in your circle who continuously make 'bad' decisions, are aloof, low energy, distant, disconnected, experiencing poor health, calling in sick, or expressing abnormal behavior, they may have a trait anxiety disorder.

A common issue is mistaking trait anxiety for state anxiety. It's difficult to help a person overcome anxiety if you believe it's because of a specific situation when in reality, it's something the person feels all the time. For example, trying to help a person overcome their fear of public speaking if they have trait anxiety, can be futile.

How To Help Your Team Thrive

The best thing to do is be aware of the signs and symptoms. If you believe someone is dealing with anxiety, don't overlook it.

Here's a simple protocol to help someone dealing with anxiety:

1. Know your people - Get to know the person and situation. Do they have anxiety most of the time or just based on specific situations? Help them get a sense of whether it's state or trait anxiety.

2. Educate - Get educated and help them get educated. Provide training or resources on anxiety and how to overcome it. This isn't always easy as some may deny that they need help.

3. Be patient - Allow them to move forward at their pace without putting pressure on them. Adding more stress may add to their anxiety.

4. Support - Be there for them. They may require significant support and resources to deal with their challenges.

Individuals with trait anxiety most likely need help from a professional such as a therapist or psychologist. Your job is NOT to fix them but assist them in getting the help they need. That's the best and smartest thing a mindful leader can do.

If you have a strong sense that their anxiety is based on a specific situation, rather than their personality, go ahead and feel free to assist them if you feel that you are qualified to.

The Bright Side of Anxiety

Interestingly, anxiety isn’t all doom and gloom! It can be a good thing if it's properly managed. Anxiety actually helps improve performance by enhancing arousal, focus and attention. Every person requires a certain amount of anxiety to perform optimally.

Not having enough anxiety can lead to suboptimal performance. Individuals with higher anxiety levels are known to be more motivated to prepare and engage tasks more effectively. They are also more likely to be vigilant and attuned to their environment. People with anxiety can often be the most insightful constructive critics. They may find things that are commonly overlooked.

The problem with any type of anxiety is when it's too intense or long-lasting. Both can lead to a deficit in performance and quality of life.

Final Thoughts

Anxiety can serve both beneficial and detrimental roles in performance depending on its intensity and duration. While state anxiety is fleeting and situation-specific, trait anxiety is more ingrained and requires thoughtful management. By fostering a supportive environment and providing the right tools for understanding anxiety, you can help your team overcome the challenges and perform at a much higher level.

I’d love to hear your feedback! Have you experienced anxiety and how did you deal with it?

Additional Information

Here’s a short quiz you can use to check your anxiety levels. Keep in mind, we’re not saying this quiz is completely accurate. It’s just a way to help you think about some questions you might want to ask yourself.

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Below is a table of common anxiety symptoms.

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Below is a table of common anxiety treatments.

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