Stress, its triggers and impacts, isn't a generic that applies to all equally. People 'suffer' stress differently, at different times, in different ways and with different effects.

There is little doubt that when stress imposes itself on a person, that person will respond in generally a manner that doesn't serve him/her. Sometimes however, stress stimulates adrenalin that forces people to think, rethink and adapt or flee.

Right-brainers, will stress in a highly regulated environment, while left-brainers will stress in ambiguous or conflicting environments. For example, trying to impose a complex Matrix style of management on a predominantly  left-brain culture will create significant stress in individuals and in the organisation generally.

The lesson here is that managers should understand the 'nature' of their people and the character of its culture before significant change is imposed.