# [REPLAY - from the archive] Stress Management Masterclass for SME Leaders with Dr.Lauren Hodges

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/scalex-insider-podcast-5948037/replay-from-the-archive-stress-management-masterclass-for-sme-leaders-with-dr-lauren-hodges.md
Podcast: [ScaleX™ Insider Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/scalex-insider-podcast-5948037)
Published: 2026-07-22T03:00:20+00:00
Episode link: https://simplescaling.com/podcast
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/scalexinsiderpodcast/SXP2012-lauren-hodges-replay.mp3?dest-id=2822267
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/scalex-insider-podcast-5948037/episodes/replay-from-the-archive-stress-management-masterclass-for-sme-leaders-with-dr-lauren-hodges
Duration seconds: 3999

## Resource

Stress management is one of the most important leadership skills for business owners, entrepreneurs, and SME leaders. In this episode, stress management, resilience, recovery, leadership performance, and stress resilience take centre stage as Brendan McGurgan is joined by human performance expert Dr. Lauren Hodges, author of Less Stress, More Calm. If you're leading a growing business, scaling a team, or feeling the pressure of constant decision-making, this conversation explores how stress management can become a competitive advantage instead of something that holds you back. Discover why stress isn't the enemy, why recovery is essential for growth, and how understanding your unique stress personality can transform your leadership. Lauren shares the science behind stress resilience, explains the eight stress personalities, and reveals practical ways leaders can build stronger habits, improve decision-making, and create sustainable business growth. Whether you're an SME founder, entrepreneur, executive, or business owner, these insights will help you lead yourself before leading others. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction 03:55 Why stress isn't the enemy 08:40 The growth formula: Stress + Recovery = Growth 15:45 The eight stress personalities explained 28:10 Why leaders make poor decisions under stress 35:30 Building resilience through recovery 43:15 How your calendar shapes your wellbeing 50:05 Managing negative self-talk as a leader 57:40 Creating high-performing teams through awareness 1:04:20 Three timeless leadership takeaways If you're an SME leader, entrepreneur or business owner looking to improve stress management, build resilience, strengthen emotional intelligence, and create sustainable business growth, this episode offers practical strategies you can apply…

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