| "Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative | | | | work can pay off in a big way. Make sure everyone |
| stress into a positive one." Hans Selye - the "father of | | | | has the right protective clothing for the job. Extreme |
| stress" and founder of the Canadian Institute of | | | | temperature and dampness create stress that can be |
| Stress.Every worker in America has heard of individual | | | | easily relieved by proper apparel and hygiene breaks. |
| stress management techniques -- relaxation, | | | | And, as surprising as it might seem, some employees |
| meditation, and visualization -- good tools for getting | | | | do not have running water at home.Not all of them |
| through stressful periods. But if they're so great, why | | | | have hot water. Not all of them have washing |
| do we still have all this stress?We're going to need | | | | machines. Make these things available at your |
| something more than mood music, aroma therapy, and | | | | workplace or find alternatives. One-time arrangements |
| comfortable lighting to get beyond the stress of | | | | can go a long way in helping stressed workers get |
| today's workplace. We're going to need | | | | their emotions under control and get their productivity |
| management's attention because stress control is a | | | | up where it belongs.Army Step 5. Discussion - A |
| leadership responsibility.The US Army has plenty of | | | | chance to talk about what happened, to tell war |
| experience with stress control as front line leaders | | | | storiesCorporate Solution: Everyone benefits from a |
| strive to keep GIs on the job. Traditionally, the US | | | | chance to tell about what went on. Some people are |
| Army has lost as many soldiers to stress as to enemy | | | | more sensitive than others. There is often great value |
| gunfire - a ratio of 1:1. The most elite units trim this loss | | | | in routine meetings to kick off the shift or explain the |
| to a ratio of 1:10 - one stress loss for every 10 | | | | day's activities. Scheduling time before or after |
| wounded soldiers.Regardless of the ratio, every front | | | | meetings to talk about what happened can relieve |
| line soldier is critical to winning the battle. Commanders | | | | stress for those in the spot light. Team discussions |
| know that controlling stress under fire is as critical as | | | | after sales calls can help stressed workers understand |
| food, fuel, and ammunition. The same holds true for | | | | the results and focus on what needs to be done.In |
| corporate America. You can't get high productivity with | | | | times of high stress, some people need to talk about |
| high absenteeism.Combat leaders watch for stress | | | | what happened to others around them - family |
| symptoms and take action. They are taught to "Know | | | | members, community tragedies. Managers can handle |
| your troops, and be alert for any sudden, persistent or | | | | the day-to-day conversations and experts are |
| progressive change in their behavior that threatens the | | | | available to address major stressors. Help workers tell |
| functioning and safety of your unit." (FM 6-22.5, | | | | their "war stories."Army Step 6. Restoring identity and |
| "Combat Stress")Specifically, front line leaders are | | | | confidence with useful workCorporate Solution: As |
| taught to help overstressed soldiers in six ways:Army | | | | soon as possible, over stressed workers need to |
| Step 1. ReassuranceCorporate Solution: Some people | | | | return to their positions of responsibility. They need to |
| need contact with the boss to assure them that things | | | | see that (a) they can perform well (b) that |
| will turn out ok. Spend time to find out worker's | | | | management recognizes their efforts (c) and that life |
| concerns. Ask for their observations on recent events. | | | | goes on. Emphasize small accomplishments. Find |
| Find out what they think about upcoming changes. Ask | | | | reasons to reward each person for their |
| for their advice -- they'll admire you for demonstrating | | | | achievements.GIs usually return to their jobs after a |
| your trust. Simple remarks showing your confidence in | | | | short rest, a hot shower, a chat with their supervisor, |
| workers can make a big difference.Army Step 2. Rest | | | | and a warm meal. Your people can do the same. |
| and sleepCorporate Solution: Its worth your while to | | | | Most of the time, they can continue in their jobs if you |
| offer some additional time off if stress is interfering | | | | pay attention to their basic needs.Watch for high |
| with performance. Consider giving additional breaks to | | | | stress period in your business cycle and schedule time |
| relieve mental and physical fatigue. Improved | | | | to work on these six steps. You'll improve productivity |
| productivity will more than pay for the unstructured | | | | and the workplace environment by taking care of your |
| breaks that over-stressed workers will take on their | | | | people. Your investment of time and money will be |
| own.Find out what's needed to help employees get | | | | rewarded in better performance and lower |
| more rest at home. Bring in experts to teach the | | | | costs.Work with your human resources experts to |
| importance of rest and relaxation. Take a look at that | | | | assist those who are beyond your ability. Let the |
| overtime schedule; the extra work might be taking its | | | | professionals take care of the severe cases while you |
| toll in absenteeism, illness, accidents, and attitudes.Army | | | | take care of your other employees and get the work |
| Step 3. Food and fluidsCorporate Solutions: You can | | | | done.Can you identify employees who are suffering |
| influence how people eat by getting experts to teach | | | | from stress? Do you know what to do about it? |
| the importance of proper nutrition. Make sure nutritious | | | | Evaluate employee problems with an eye toward |
| snacks are available alongside the junk food in vending | | | | stress control. Send a blank email to for a f`r`e`e article |
| machines. Provide healthy snacks mid-morning and | | | | about the top ten causes of workplace |
| mid-afternoon when energy levels begin to fade. The | | | | stress.Copyright 2004 - Dale CollieYou may publish this |
| investment will pay off in better performance. Reward | | | | article electronically or in print f`r`e`e of charge. Just |
| good health.Army Step 4. Hygiene - bathing, clean | | | | include my full byline and add a hyperlink for web |
| uniformsCorporate Solution: A scheduled break to get | | | | postings. |
| cleaned up before lunch or after a hard day of dirty | | | | |