It is no secret that stress and related disorders are the most frequent cause of employee disability (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). As far back as 1992, a United Nations report called job stress a "world wide epidemic.
Control of workplace stress is a leadership responsibility. Good leaders who recognize the symptoms of stress can control situations to create more desirable workplaces and to improve both productivity and the bottom line.
Corporate leaders who have served in the military recognize employee stress when they observe symptoms such as:
1 Anxiety
2 Indecisiveness
3 Irritability
4 Complaining
5 Forgetfulness
6 Loss of self confidence
7 Argumentativeness
8 Insomnia
9 Rapid emotional shifts
10 Physical exhaustion
Symptoms such as these cost companies billions of dollars each year in health care costs, absenteeism, accidents, quality control, personnel turnover, and various interpersonal relationship problems.
Some managers mistakenly try to control stressful problems by increasing demands and supervising details. Increased urgency and focus on details typically generates even more stress. The problems shift from slight distractions, such as back pain, headaches, and inattention, to more drastic reactions such as absenteeism and medical problems, both good indicators that stress levels need attention.
Just as in the Army, most business leaders must be taught to manage stress and to observe for negative stress reactions. All managers need to understand the importance of positive stress in maximizing accuracy and productivity. And they need to know how to control the negative stress for the benefit of those involved and the bottom line.
If you don't have qualified staff in your company, outside consultants and trainers can help you evaluate current stress levels and train everyone involved. Remember, stress control is a leadership responsibility.
Get my article about controlling the top ten workplace stressors by sending blank email MailTo:10stressors@couragebuilders.com
Copyright 2005
You may edit this article for length or content to fit your space and audience requirements and publish electronically or in print free of charge. Include my full byline and add a hyperlink for web postings. When you publish, please send a courtesy link or email to collie@couragebuilders.com
Dale Collie (MailTo:collie@couragebuilders.com) speaker, author, and former US Army Ranger, CEO,and professor at West Point. Selected by "Fast Company" as one of America's Fast 50 innovative leaders. Author of "Frontline Leadership: From War Room to Boardroom," and "Winning Under Fire: Turn Stress into Success the US Army Way." (McGraw-Hill) http://www.couragebuilders.com
best cleaning company Lincolnshire ..The day wasn't going well already. You know how it... Read More
We all know what it feels like to have our... Read More
Learn to have healthy relationships:This subject could fill an entire... Read More
File this one under the category of "watch your language."The... Read More
STRESS & TIME MANAGEMENT: Stress is either the source or... Read More
1. 5-minute rule. How many times do we say, "This... Read More
"I'm stressed out."If you find yourself thinking--or saying--this on a... Read More
In order to free ourselves from the pain of anger... Read More
1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a... Read More
Traffic jams. Toddler tantrums. Deadlines at work. Money troubles. Too... Read More
Ask a hundred different people how to deal with stress... Read More
Governements and businesses have regularly highlighted the costs of stress... Read More
What is Stress?Stress may be defined as the three-way relationship... Read More
Are you a "worry wart?" Is that term familiar to... Read More
The United Nations declares workplace stress to be a worldwide... Read More
Where does stress really come from? Is there any simple... Read More
Of all the sources of stress in our lives, faulty... Read More
Raise your hand if you have ever been rejected by... Read More
It is very true that, unfortunately, many people look to... Read More
Many people recognise the warning signs that stress may be... Read More
Everyday can be full of stress but we all deserve... Read More
Picture the following scene:It's Sunday evening, the weekend is winding... Read More
Most of us are trying to balance work, home, and... Read More
Most humans experience unexpected setbacks which can cause huge stress... Read More
Seventy-five percent of all our problems ? both emotional and... Read More
on demand house cleaning Lake Forest ..This anger management Practice draws on the dual wisdom of... Read More
Stress is defined as a response by your body to... Read More
Do you ever feel stressed? Is stress a regular component... Read More
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYSExperts in the stress management field have... Read More
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour... Read More
I recently received this e-mail message about stress management (author... Read More
We are not designed for long term stress.It causes us... Read More
Have you recently moved or started a new job? Do... Read More
We so often take the feelings of happiness and saddness... Read More
Workers across America will tell you that stresslevels are increasing.... Read More
My son was watching a Richard Scarry video this morning... Read More
Who hasn't experienced "worry" at one time or another? Almost... Read More
Fear, and its accompanying seriousness, causes our suffering. Fear restricts... Read More
Today's workplace produces plenty of stress. Life's little hassles mount... Read More
Comedian George Carlin once remarked, "Have your ever noticed? Anyone... Read More
Ask a hundred different people how to deal with stress... Read More
Statistics tell us that more people have migraine headaches on... Read More
The fast pace of life is taking toll on every... Read More
If you've recently experienced loss or are going through a... Read More
Several studies, including one of medical students around exam time,... Read More
We function at our best when we are free from... Read More
Let's face it! The majority of our time is either... Read More
When something happens in our lives, we automatically assess the... Read More
According to the Australian Council of Trade Unions' (A.C.T.U.) 1997... Read More
Many people go through the motions during Christmas. If not... Read More
Stress Management |