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.

00:00 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

• Why protecting capacity is essential for performance
• How stress spreads through teams and organizations
• The hidden cost of forced positivity at work
• What the Stockdale Paradox teaches us about leadership
• Why younger workers experience higher levels of workplace stress
• How to distinguish between what's urgent and what's important

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

• The State of Stress and Joy at Work Research Study
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
• Good to Great by Jim Collins

Visit Amy's website to learn more, download the research study, and access additional resources.