April is Stress Awareness Month
April often feels full. Full calendars. Full expectations. High stress levels.
This month I have been reflecting on how leaders connect, learn, and manage their energy in times of uncertainty and constant change. When stressed, we go into fight, flight or freeze mode:
- Victim: Life happens to you. You complain or feel stuck, which can lead to long-term emotional and physical strain. Tip: Focus on what you can control and aim for proactive approaches.
- Conflict: You get angry and confrontational, pushing your agenda at all costs. Tip: Never respond when you are emotional. Take a deep breath or sleep over it.
- Acceptance: You accept the situation although it doesn’t feel right – “It is what it is.” This approach can help reduce the emotional weight of stress and allows you to focus on your goals. Tip: Ask yourself: “Will it matter in a week/month/year?
The transformative response is changing how you view a situation or person. Shifting your perspective can turn challenges into opportunities, problems into solutions. It requires effort but will ignite your anabolic energy.
April is Stress Awareness Month – the perfect time to pause, take a deep breath, and check in with yourself. Today I shared the PBAR framework during the ‘The Secret to Success: How Your Energy Controls Everything’ workshop. Here are simple tips to help you manage stress and feel more in control:
- Start with self-care. It can be as simple as taking a 10-minute walk, drinking water before your coffee, or turning off your phone for a period of time.
- Build resilience: Create habits that build resilience: Get at least 7 hours of sleep, exercise regularly, eat healthy food.
- #BeTheChange – this year’s theme that encourages proactive stress management and wellbeing.
- Use the PBAR framework:
- Pause when you notice that you are reacting to stressors.
- Breathe deeply to Slow down your nervous system with intentional breathing. Try the 4-box breathing exercise: inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, hold for four. Repeat a few times.
- Analyze your thoughts and feelings. Talk it out – call a friend, start a journal, or partner with a coach.
- Respond with the energy level and mindset that that supports the outcome you want.
Take care of your body, mind and soul. Share these tips with someone who can benefit from them. Let’s take a couple of deep breaths!
💡Reflection: What triggers your stress? Is it time pressure, uncertainty, lack of clarity, or something else? Awareness is often the first step toward change.
Resources for you:
👉Check out the ‘How Stressed Am I’ quiz: https://dunamisc.com/resources/
📞 Schedule a call HERE if you are interested in learning more about energy leadership and how to improve your satisfaction and success in life. Or want to bring this workshop to your organization.
Building Strong Relationships
In the last couple of weeks, I facilitated several workshops – Networking Like a Pro, Mentoring, DISC Team Mapping. One theme came up consistently. Strong networks are built through intention, meaningful conversation and contribution.
- Networking: People who get the most value from networking are curious. They ask thoughtful questions and use below conversation starters. They listen attentively. They follow up with intent and purpose.
- “What brought you here today?”
- “How are you finding the event so far?”
- “I’d love to know what you’re working on lately.”
- “I’m thinking about ____. Is that something you’re interested in?”
- Mentoring works the same way. Growth accelerates when we learn from people who challenge our thinking and expand our perspective, whether it is peer mentoring or reverse mentoring.
- Communication: Understanding one’s DISC profile and the profile of others enhances the effectiveness of your communication and relationships.
💡Reflection: What is one connection you want to deepen this month? What can you do to improve your communication skills and relationships?
📞 Schedule a call HERE if you are interested in bringing one of these workshops to your organization.
Learning from transform 2026 Conference
Transform 2026 in Las Vegas was energizing and grounding at the same time. The conversations reinforced what many leaders and L&D professionals are experiencing right now.
- Learning and development needs to move beyond delivering training and focus on solving real business challenges. It starts by diagnosing where the business is stuck and connects directly to performance gaps that create friction. Success is measured using business KPIs, not just HR metrics.
A powerful question shared was: If we stopped this program, would the business suffer? If the answer is no, it may be time to let it go.
- Partnership with leaders drives impact: Programs that address real‑time challenges and include capstone projects tied to actual business problems deliver stronger outcomes. Leadership development works best when it is practical, timely, and clearly linked to organizational priorities.
- Create space for learning: Time continues to be one of the biggest barriers to development. One example that stood out was Zurich’s “Invest Fridays.” No essential meetings. Clear permission to learn. The result was an 80% increase in voluntary training participation.
- Culture is not shaped by mission statements or posters. It’s how leaders communicate, how decisions are made, and how people feel after interactions. Clear communication. Honest town halls. Alignment on processes, roles, and leadership principles all matter, especially during times of uncertainty and M&A.
Leaders who understand culture, power dynamics, and process design are better positioned to create stability and trust.
Transform reinforced that impact comes from alignment. Alignment between strategy, culture, leadership behavior, and learning.
Conferences like this are valuable because they encourage reflection. They help us pause, ask better questions, and return with clarity on what truly drives results.
💡Reflection: Where could our efforts better solve real business problems? What would change if we truly created space for learning instead of trying to fit it in?
👉If any of these topics resonate with you, follow me on LinkedIn.
Add your tips and best practices in the comment box below.