How to handle pressure from above and below

03/06/2025

Welcome to the management sandwich

Being a manager means standing between two worlds. From above come strategic decisions, KPIs, changes and expectations from management. From below come team needs, emotions, motivation, problems. This pressure from both sides can be frustrating, exhausting, and if we don't learn to work with it, even paralyzing.

So how not to go crazy, burn out and lose respect?

1. It´ s just the way it is

Pressure is simply the standard nowadays.
Your job is not just to shift the pressure downwards, but to process and interpret it.
Simply don´ t take things personally, because they are not personal.

Tip: Translate every pressure from above into the question : "What does this really mean for my team ?" and vice versa : "What do my superiors need to know about this ?"

2. Set clear boundaries

Managers often burn out because they want to please everyone.
Saying "no" (or "not now") is a skill that needs to be cultivated.
If your team calls you at midnight and management expects answers over the weekend - it´ s time to reevaluate your communication standards.

Tip: Establish a rule of "no meetings after 4:00 pm" or "I respond to emails within 24 hours, not 2 hours".

3. Be an interpreter, not a megaphone

You don´ t have to simply pass on the pressure from above. It´ s your job to translate it into the team´ s language.
Insteaf of : "We have to have it done by Friday because management decided so" - say : "If we can get it done by Friday, we can show that our team can deliver even under pressure - and we have a better chance of influencing future decisions."

Tip: Don´ r underestimate your role in cultivating the environment - be a buffer, not a stress amplifier.

4. Transparency and psychological safety

You can talk about pressure in the team - you don´ t have to play the "I can handle everything" game.
Openness builds trust, especially if you can admit that the situation is not ideal, but you have a plan.
Create space for feedback, even upwards.

Tip: Psychological safety is key - if you don´ t have it, pressure turns into resistance and demotivation.

5. Manage your boss - yes, you read that right

You don´ t have to just be a recipient of pressure - you can also manipulate him/her sensibly.
Regular 1:1 with your manager = a place where you set realistic expectations.
Work proactively : instead of "what should we do ?" come up with a solution proposal.

Tip: A manager is not a passive executor, but an active player between two parties.

You can do it, just :

set clear boundaries,
prefer healthy communication,
learn to translate and interpret expectations,
and don´ t be afraid to be open.

Ultimately, it is the ability to handle this pressure that makes the difference between an average and an exceptional manager.