Leading Under Pressure Workshop: The Neuroscience of Stress, Burnout and High Performance 27th October 2026

Stress-related illness and long-term absence continue to have a significant impact on organisations, affecting productivity, engagement and employee wellbeing. While many businesses focus on workload management and wellbeing initiatives, understanding how the nervous system responds to pressure is often the missing piece.

This engaging and interactive workshop explores the science behind stress, burnout and performance, helping leaders understand what happens to the brain and body when pressure becomes prolonged. Through a blend of neuroscience, real-world leadership experience and practical team exercises, delegates will gain valuable insight into how stress influences behaviour, communication, collaboration and decision-making.

Delivered by Katie Rothwell, an expert in nervous system regulation, persistent pain and behaviour change, and Phil Holdcroft, a former RAF helicopter pilot, leadership coach and founder of High Performance Journey, the workshop brings together evidence-based learning with lived experience of leading and performing in high-pressure environments.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand the link between the nervous system, behaviour and performance
• Recognise early signs of stress before they lead to burnout or long-term absence
• Improve resilience and emotional regulation
• Understand how stress impacts teamwork, communication and decision-making
• Apply practical strategies to create healthier, higher-performing teams
• Build a culture of sustainable performance and psychological safety

Ideal for managers, team leaders and business owners looking to support employee wellbeing while maintaining high levels of performance.