20 Apps Running in the Background: Managing Stress as a Leader - with Jenny Douglas (Part 2)

What if the biggest challenge in leadership isn’t strategy, but managing yourself?In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Jennifer Douglas, we shift from external leadership skills to the internal work that makes great leadership possible.Jenny shares why so many high-performing leaders struggle under pressure—and what’s often missing from traditional leadership development. The answer isn’t more frameworks. It’s learning how to integrate your thinking, emotions, and physical well-being into how you lead.This episode is especially practical, with tools you can use immediately.We explore:Why leaders often feel overwhelmed—even when they’re successfulThe gap in leadership development around whole-person well-beingHow a coaching mindset unlocks better thinking and stronger teamsWhat happens in the brain under stress (and why it matters)Simple, actionable techniques to manage stress in real timeHow to “zoom out” of your internal monologue and regain controlA powerful visualization exercise to release tension and refocusOne standout idea: many leaders are operating like a phone with “20 apps running in the background,” draining their capacity without realizing it.In Part 3, we will expand the conversation outward, exploring leadership, loneliness, and what it means to lead humans in an AI-driven world.Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more aboutThe Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education