This Tip looks at six key steps managers can take to guide staff through stressful times so they gain a sense of control.
Staff can quickly become depressed and disillusioned when they think about what they have lost because of a change. Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could focus their thinking instead on what opportunities are now open to them that weren’t there before?
Change is a swinging door: some things go out, while other things come in. Rather than letting them bemoan what they can’t do, it would be wise to redirect staff to identify everything they can do. However, until their stress is under control, it is very difficult to help them move in a positive direction.
There are six key steps to guiding staff through stressful times.
Help them to:
-
Recognize their stress responses.
It is important for staff to realize if their stress is negatively affecting them on a physical and emotional basis. Once they understand how their stress is affecting their health, happiness, and effectiveness, they will have an incentive for them to change their attitude or actions.
-
Assess their coping strategies.
They have already experienced a number of changes in their lives. It is helpful for staff to review and articulate the factors that contributed to their successful and unsuccessful handling of change in the past. This process can assist them in minimizing the recurrence of self-defeating patterns of behavior. It will also reassure them that there are proven attitudes and actions that will be useful to them in the current situation.
-
Face their fears.
Stress results from what people tell themselves about a situation. Give staff an opportunity to list the fears and concerns that are the source of their stress and worry. Then have them assess whether each fear is valid or invalid. This activity will help them realize if they are making matters worse than they actually are. Once the valid fears have been isolated, it will be easier to discuss how to realistically address them.
-
Gain perspective.
When people are overwhelmed with stress, it is very difficult for them to “not sweat the small stuff” because everything seems big. However, there are activities that can help staff get in touch with what is most important to them. Once they can see their core values on paper, they will gain a much calmer perspective on day-to-day matters on the job. It will free them to start to imagine the opportunities offered by the change and how to take advantage of them.
-
Use available support resources.
People are social animals. Unfortunately, some staff may be tempted to ignore the support that family and friends are there to provide. Other staff may be hesitant to take advantage of counseling that may be necessary.
It is key to emphasize to staff that this is not the time to try to go it alone. Make sure they know what tools and resources are available and how to access them.
-
Take care of themselves.
Stress is a disease of choice, not chance. Ask staff to be more conscious of the choices they make that can impact their physical and mental health. This is an excellent time to review activities that can help staff prevent and reduce their stress. Help them realize that there are many choices within their personal control. If they feel that they have choices, they are less likely to feel victimized and powerless. Encourage them to take responsibility for their own health and happiness.
By following these six steps, you can effectively guide your staff through stressful times, keeping them and you healthy, focused, and productive.
Please add other suggestions!
If your organization would benefit from training for staff and managers during stressful times, please book a call to discuss a tailored training program at https://laurelandassociates.com/contact/
May your learning be sweet,
Deborah
#stressmanagement #changemanagement #stressresponses #copingstrategies #laurelandassociates
