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
efficient cleaning crew Northbrook ..We all know that stress levels in the workplace are... Read More
This anger management Practice draws on the dual wisdom of... Read More
Everyday can be full of stress but we all deserve... Read More
A while back, I was in a minor fender-bender accident,... Read More
Whether we are at work, traveling, or at home, we've... Read More
Preparing for sleep the night before is the place to... Read More
Stress is defined as a response by your body to... Read More
Stress ReliefStress is a big business in Western society. We... Read More
Loneliness and separation are the real illness of our times.... Read More
The pace of life seems to quicken every year. More... Read More
We all know what it feels like to have our... Read More
You can learn a lot by watching children playing. There... Read More
I have yet to see a scientist talk about the... Read More
The fast pace of life is taking toll on every... Read More
In order to free ourselves from the pain of anger... Read More
Do you get out of your car with a queasy... Read More
If you live in the early part of the twenty-first... Read More
Is your in-tray or inbox full? I don't normally check... Read More
Did you know that taking a short trip, such as... Read More
I had the unpleasant experience of being pulled over the... Read More
Q. I've been told that I need to learn from... Read More
How much attention is paid to one of the biggest... Read More
After a stressful day as a computer programmer, Jim pulled... Read More
In his book, The 22 Non-Negotiable Laws of Wellness, author... Read More
Seems like more and more they are all around us.... Read More
cleaning lady near Wilmette ..What is Stress?Stress may be defined as the three-way relationship... Read More
Q:We recently had someone come to our company to talk... Read More
This anger management Practice draws on the dual wisdom of... Read More
Workplace stress is on the rise and it's costing corporate... Read More
Is your in-tray or inbox full? I don't normally check... Read More
Why do we resist change? As the saying goes, the... Read More
10 Ways to Monitor Corporate Stress LevelsGood military leaders work... Read More
What part of no don't you understand? - Bumper stickerThe... Read More
If you have never tried combining your breathing exercises with... Read More
Stress and anxiety can prematurely age our mind and body.... Read More
Do you have the desire for a stress free life?... Read More
There may be so much you want to change in... Read More
Deceiving? You bet they are. How? Without your even knowing... Read More
Work stress has become a major problem today. The nature... Read More
One of my favorite stories about change is the story... Read More
Are you feeling stressed out? Too many things to do,... Read More
* Play Romane's stress control seminar recordings, and read "The... Read More
Why are you so busy? Do you really have too... Read More
What do you think of when you see that word?... Read More
1. The Law of StagnationThis is also known as first... Read More
We all know what it feels like to have our... Read More
When a great Zen Master returned to his country after... Read More
It's summertime and chances are you can remember a summer... Read More
Stress can affect virtually any part of the body and... Read More
Lake Hopatcong, NJ (PRWEB) November 30, 2004 -- Here are... Read More
Stress Management |