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
recurring cleaning service Mundelein ..Quote of the week"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Leonardo da... Read More
David Bowie once sang, "Ch-ch-changes, tryin' to face the strain."And... Read More
Stress is amazingly persistent, even seductive. We get used to... Read More
Everyone worries. As bothersome as it is, worry isn't all... Read More
Insomnia is usually the result of the modern way of... Read More
We strive for excellence in our lives, going at full... Read More
Do you feel that you just don't have the time... Read More
Work related tensions, personal issues and abnormal lifestyles are the... Read More
Meditation, relaxation and visualisation are the standard recommendations for reducing... Read More
Every day we are faced with a situation where our... Read More
Conceptualizing stress: Stress often has a negative connotation. Failure, illnesses,... Read More
"I'm stressed out."If you find yourself thinking--or saying--this on a... Read More
Whenever we think of 'stress', negative thoughts come into our... Read More
We all know that stress levels in the workplace are... Read More
Today's workplace produces plenty of stress. Life's little hassles mount... Read More
1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a... Read More
These days, when people have become so conscious about what... Read More
Many CEOs see stress as an intractable problem which would... Read More
Stress affects different people in different ways, but affect them... Read More
IntroductionTime magazine called stress the "The Epidemic of the Eighties".... Read More
What would you say if I told you I know... Read More
This summer, get away, without going away. Take a mini... Read More
June is the month of the honey moon. Custom holds... Read More
There are times in every person's life when things do... Read More
Statistics show that all of us experience stress at one... Read More
tidy up service Buffalo Grove ..A grandfather, whose grandson came to him angry at a... Read More
"I'm stressed out."If you find yourself thinking--or saying--this on a... Read More
Recently I completed some new workshop engagements in addition to... Read More
A stressless lifestyle? That's very easy to say. Yet it... Read More
We all know what it feels like to have our... Read More
Voice: Bill!Bill: I thought I heard a voice.Voice: Bill! This... Read More
Several studies, including one of medical students around exam time,... Read More
In his book, The 22 Non-Negotiable Laws of Wellness, author... Read More
"I've got too much to do, I've just got too... Read More
Statistics show that all of us experience stress at one... Read More
To combat modern day stressors, you need to realize that... Read More
Are you feeling stressed out? Too many things to do,... Read More
"Learn how to turn frustration into fascination. You will learn... Read More
ResentmentsA wise friend once said that holding onto resentments is... Read More
The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds.... Read More
There are two types of anxiety:*Situational *Existential.Most of us experience... Read More
Often, in today's fast paced world, we forget to take... Read More
Everyone knows that stress isn't good - that it can... Read More
26 ways to minimize and manage the unhealthy effects of... Read More
We all know that stress levels in the workplace are... Read More
Marshal John Kruger acted by Arnold Schwarzenegger (who else) in... Read More
Work related tensions, personal issues and abnormal lifestyles are the... Read More
Amazing thing, overwhelm!You don't usually see it coming. It just... Read More
Q. I have just recently come to recognize that I... Read More
Q:We recently had someone come to our company to talk... Read More
Stress Management |