Managing Stress

Definition of Stress Elements of Stress Reactions to Stress Defense Mechanisms Coping Strategies Time Management ExerciseOverview

An environment filled with reinforcing or opposing forces that either stimulate or inhibit performanceDefinition

Takes $500 billion from economy yearly Adversely affects health of half the adult population Costs $550 million in workdays lost each year Leads to 40% of U.S. worker turnover Is a factor in 60-80% job accidents Effects of Stress

A balance or imbalance of: – Driving Forces (stressors) – Restraining Forces (resiliency) Elements of Stress

Current Level of Functioning Modified from Lewin’s Force Field Driving Force A Driving Force B Driving Force C Driving Force D Restraining Force A Restraining Force B Restraining Force C Restraining Force D Elements of Stress

Driving Forces (Stressors) – Time: too much in too little time – Encounters: interpersonal issues – Situation (environmental): long hours/changes – Anticipatory: expected tense climate Elements of Stress

Restraining Forces (Resiliency) – Physiological: cardiovascular conditioning & dietary control – Psychological: control, commitment, challenge develops “hardiness” – Social: friendships, mentor relationships, cohesive work teams Elements of Stress

General Reactions – Alarm – Resistance – Exhaustion Reactions to Stress

Managerial Reactions – Narrow View (tunnel vision) – Intolerant & Demanding – Fixate on Single Approach – Adopt a Crisis Mentality – Oversimplify Issues – Consult Others Less Often – Rely on Old Habits – Less Creative Problem Solving Reactions to Stress Stress not only affects employees and followers but get in the way of effective management and leadership

Stress Model Stressors Anticipatory Anticipatory Encounter Encounter Time Time Situational SituationalStressors Anticipatory Anticipatory Encounter Encounter Time Time Situational SituationalReactions Physiological Physiological Psychological PsychologicalReactions Physiological Physiological Psychological Psychological Resiliency Physical Physical Psychological Psychological Social SocialResiliency Physical Physical Psychological Psychological Social Social Experiencing Stress

Aggression - attack the stressor Regression - childish Repression - denial Withdrawal - attention gap/escape Fixation – pointless persistence Defense Mechanisms

Enactive – creating non-stress environment Proactive – increasing resiliency Reactive – short-term Coping Strategies Develop resiliency strategies Eliminate Stressors PermanentPermanent EnactiveEnactive Long Time Long Term ProactiveProactive Moderate Time Learn temporary coping mechanisms Short Term ReactiveReactive ImmediateImmediate PurposePurpose EffectsEffects ApproachApproach TimeTime Enactive Strategies Proactive Strategies Reactive Strategies Managing Stress

Long-term – Effective – Important vs. Urgent – Focus on results Short-term – Efficient – Calendars, to do lists, planning tools – Just say “no” Eliminate major time stressors (effective) use the time you have to focus on important and urgent things (efficiency) Time Management

Urgency (Immediate Attention Urgency (Immediate Attention Importance (Produce desired result) Importance (Produce desired result) High Low

Efficient Techniques – Hold routine day-end meetings – Hold short stand-up meetings – Set meeting time deadlines – Cancel light-agenda meetings – Set agenda – Stick to it – Keep track of time – Start meetings on time Time Management

Efficient Techniques – Prepare minutes, follow up on decisions – Insist followers suggest solutions – Meet visitors in office doorway – Visit subordinates’ office for brief meetings – Don’t over-schedule your day – Have someone else take calls, scan – Have place to work uninterrupted – Do something definitive w/ every piece of paper Time Management

Efficient Techniques – Keep work area clean – Delegate work – Identify amount of effort – Give others credit for success Time Management

Step 1: Keep one-week time log Step 2: Record required vs discretionary time Step 3: Rate activity productivity Step 4: Create plan for discretionary time Step 5: ID more productive use of discretionary timeExercise

Definition of Stress Elements of Stress Reactions to Stress Defense Mechanisms Coping Strategies Time Management ExerciseSummary