Stress doesn’t stay neatly at work or at home—and neither do we. On this episode of Less Stress, More Joy, Amy introduces The Stress Ruler, a simple, powerful tool you can use anywhere in your life: before a tough meeting, during a one-on-one, or even at the dinner table.

The Stress Ruler asks just one question:

How challenging has your stress been on a scale of 0–10?

And what makes it effective is what it doesn’t include:

• No definition of what “challenging” means—you decide
• No separation between work stress and life stress
• No time frame that masks what really matters

Amy shares real-world stories from leadership teams where stress scores revealed hidden disconnects, unspoken assumptions, and opportunities for trust, delegation, and better conversations. She also explains how leaders can use this tool without becoming therapists—and why simplicity matters more than ever in today’s workplace.

On this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why stress shows up before we do
• How the Stress Ruler creates safer, more honest conversations
• How to use it on your own, with your team, or in one-on-ones
• What to listen for when stress numbers don’t match perception
• How curiosity—not fixing—is the real leadership skill

🎯 Download the Stress Ruler and try it this week.

If this episode sparked a question, email Amy at amy@amyleneker.com.

And if you found it helpful, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—it helps others find their way to less stress and more joy.

📘 Pre-order Amy’s new book, Cheers to Monday, wherever books are sold.

Our mission: Less stress. More joy. Zero toxic positivity.

That’s the joyful rebellion—and you’re part of it.

Chapters:

00:00 – Workplace Stress & Life Stress Are Connected

How stress at work affects stress at home (and vice versa)

00:33 – A Stress Management Tool for Work and Life

One simple framework you can use anywhere

00:54 – What Is the Stress Ruler?

A simple stress assessment tool for leaders and teams

01:29 – How to Measure Stress Without Judgment

Why “challenging” works better than “bothersome”

01:58 – Why You Shouldn’t Separate Work Stress and Life Stress

Understanding whole-person stress

02:21 – Why Most Stress Check-Ins Don’t Work

How time-based stress questions miss the real issue

03:00 – Leadership Mistakes That Increase Team Stress

A mediator’s perspective on missed signals

03:45 – How Leaders Should Use Stress Scores

A better way to talk about stress at work

04:08 – How to Check Your Stress Before Hard Conversations

Emotional awareness and self-regulation at work

04:56 – How Teams Can Track Stress Over Time

Using stress levels to prevent burnout

05:20 – Using Stress in One-on-One Meetings

Supporting employees without becoming their therapist

06:00 – When Leaders Underestimate Their Stress Impact

How leader stress affects team performance

06:55 – When Leaders Hide Stress From Their Team

Why over-functioning creates mistrust

08:21 – Why Talking About Stress Is Easier With Numbers

Psychological safety and stress conversations

08:43 – How to Spot Burnout Warning Signs

Recognizing stress spikes and outliers

09:02 – Teaching Kids Emotional Awareness With Stress Tools

Using the Stress Ruler at home

09:29 – Stress, Leadership, and the Joyful Rebellion

Less stress. More joy. Zero toxic positivity.