Leadership Energy: How Your Stress Affects Your Team | Growth by Design

In this episode of Growth by Design, Rob Graham and Ross Rosner dig into a topic that shows up in every organization, whether leaders realize it or not, leadership energy.

The conversation centers on a simple but often overlooked reality. Teams tend to mirror the emotional tone set at the top. When leaders operate in constant urgency or unmanaged stress, that pressure travels quickly through the organization, often showing up as burnout, disengagement, or confusion.

Rob and Ross talk through common leadership pitfalls, including living in reaction mode, failing to define true priorities, and skipping recovery altogether. They also share practical ways leaders can create stability through clear communication, consistent expectations, and intentional rhythms that allow teams to perform without feeling overwhelmed.

You’ll hear real-world perspective on managing stress as a leader, why recovery is not a luxury, and how small shifts in presence and clarity can have an outsized impact on culture and performance.

This episode is for leaders who want calmer teams, better decision-making, and a more sustainable way to lead.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to leadership energy

01:06 The contagious nature of stress

01:45 Common leadership pitfalls

03:00 The importance of recovery rhythm

07:07 Weekly check-ins and stabilizing leadership

09:44 Personal stress management

11:21 Final thoughts and takeaways