MENTAL CRISES IN 2026 - WHEN EXECUTIVES REACH THEIR LIMITS

Berlin, January 7, 2026 - Companies are under massive global pressure in 2026: inflation, geopolitical uncertainties, digital transformations, and an acute shortage of skilled workers are shaping the economic situation. For executives, this means not only organizational challenges, but also considerable mental stress.

According to the Gallup report "State of the Global Workplace 2024," 41% of employees worldwide experience high levels of stress--a clear indication that pressure peaks are increasingly being transferred to the management level.

At the same time, the ManpowerGroup Global Talent Barometer 2024 shows that 49% of employees experience stress at work every day and less than half have stable mental health. In its Facts on Mental Health in the Workplace (2024), the WHO emphasizes that high workloads, lack of control, and job insecurity are significant risk factors for mental stress - and that managers need to develop targeted resources for their teams and themselves.

"Today, managers are expected to deliver perfect solutions immediately in every situation," explains Dr. Alexander K?rmen (52), CEO of a Berlin-based digital agency. "Existential fears, the threat of a shortage of skilled workers, and increasing uncertainties within the team place a strain not only on employees but also on the leadership team - mentally far beyond the classic workload."

Leadership under pressure: Between crises and mental exhaustion Dr. K?rmen reports on a period of high volatility in 2025: Project delays, turnover of key personnel, and ongoing economic pressure took a heavy toll on the entire team.
"The challenge lay not only in operational coordination, but above all in maintaining emotional stability within the management team and the company," says K?rmen. For employees like Sandra M?ller (38), a project manager, leadership in times of crisis is above all about attitude: "True leadership means talking openly about concerns while at the same time developing targeted solutions - both short-term and sustainable. Often, the fear of losing control or job insecurity is more paralyzing than the actual crisis." Berlin-based career coach Jessica Wahl emphasizes that resilience has become a core competency in 2026: "Those who maintain their inner balance - mentally and physically - make clearer decisions and shape perspectives even in dynamic times."
She adds: "Crises are reflected not only in company figures, but also in personal behavior patterns. Managers who take responsibility for their mental well-being can lead successfully in the long term."

Sleep disorders, decision fatigue, mental exhaustion Stress in the workplace is increasingly manifesting itself physically and psychologically - from sleep disorders and decision fatigue to long-term mental strain. International studies show that structural factors such as high workloads, lack of support, and constant pressure to innovate contribute significantly to mental strain (WHO, 2024).

The challenges of 2026 - from the threat of unemployment to increasing uncertainty and growing emotional stress - make it clear that resilience, prioritization in crisis management, and the ability to respond in an action-oriented manner rather than panicking are no longer additional qualifications. They are essential for the survival of companies and the health of managers alike.

Hagen PR
Berlin
https://www.jessicawahl.de

The Institute for Personal Performance Coaching has been supporting specialists, executives, and personalities in challenging professional contexts for 20 years. Jessica Wahl, senior performance coach, breathing, voice, and speech therapist, and J?rg Tewes, certified actor and senior performance coach, are internationally renowned as leading experts in performance and career coaching.

The coaching takes place in a unique setting in the heart of Berlin-Kreuzberg: the institute is located in a beautiful church that offers an atmosphere of calm, concentration, and clarity--a deliberate counterpoint to the pulsating dynamics of the big city.

The coaching approach focuses on posture, presence, and sustainable performance--all under real conditions and with a clear goal: to empower people not only professionally, but also personally. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of soft skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to present oneself authentically. This ensures that clients are optimally prepared for the complex demands of the modern working world, which require both technical knowledge and strong interpersonal skills. https://www.jessicawahl.de

This release was published on openPR.