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
cleaning team near Winnetka ..Caring for a chronically ill loved one can be one... Read More
?And holding it way down inside you like an old... Read More
When was the last time you took a day just... Read More
"Smash!" It was a sunny autumn Saturday. My cousins and... Read More
More than two-thirds of visits to doctors' surgeries are for... Read More
Every woman needs her own personal space for relaxation, not... Read More
Stressed? Relax Right Now with 5 Super-Simple Stress-BustersStressed-out? Don't know... Read More
Often, in today's fast paced world, we forget to take... Read More
One of the best ways to combat stress and depression... Read More
Among the hardest parts of living in the modern world... Read More
I'm sure you have heard of IBS, irritable bowel syndrome,... Read More
When a great Zen Master returned to his country after... Read More
The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds.... Read More
Workers across America will tell you that stresslevels are increasing.... Read More
To combat modern day stressors, you need to realize that... Read More
Elizabeth, 32, cried during anger management class as she told... Read More
1. 5-minute rule. How many times do we say, "This... Read More
Q. So many times in my life, I seem to... Read More
You can learn a lot by watching children playing. There... Read More
Imagine going through your whole life in the constant fear... Read More
* The material presented in this article is provided for... Read More
THE ENCHANTED SELF? teaches you how to access positive states... Read More
According to the Australian Council of Trade Unions' (A.C.T.U.) 1997... Read More
We've all been there, right? We find ourselves living with... Read More
Looking for mindfulness? Who ya gonna call?Try dialing M.It's easy... Read More
family-safe home cleaners Northbrook ..I learned a valuable lesson recently. A short while ago,... Read More
Don't wait to have a life-threatening disease to learn what... Read More
Imagine going through your whole life in the constant fear... Read More
Syndicated columnist Dale Dauten recently wrote, "One of life's great... Read More
First, let's make a distinction between pressure and stress. We... Read More
Q: "My career, though very very stressful, is one that... Read More
Lake Hopatcong, NJ (PRWEB) November 30, 2004 -- Here are... Read More
The Problem You don't need me to tell you how... Read More
Breathing is the vital force of life. It is considered... Read More
The United Nations declares workplace stress to be a worldwide... Read More
When I pay attention, I clearly see the arresting ways... Read More
So, you've recognised that you are suffering from stress and... Read More
Preparing for sleep the night before is the place to... Read More
Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine daily.Daily Exercise -... Read More
Health Impacts of StressStress is a funny concept, try to... Read More
Have you ever listened to someone, perhaps even to your... Read More
Everyone knows that stress isn't good - that it can... Read More
10 Ways to Monitor Corporate Stress LevelsGood military leaders work... Read More
Among the hardest parts of living in the modern world... Read More
I'm so excited that I have discovered this secret today.... Read More
Do you get out of your car with a queasy... Read More
The predominant role human conditioning plays in a stressful environment.... Read More
How much attention is paid to one of the biggest... Read More
"Let your mind be quiet, realizing the beauty of the... Read More
Defending your point of view can use up a lot... Read More
Stress Management |