Recent research has clear findings. People suffer tremendous stress at work. As an SME or small business owner that depends solely on its people and their output at work, how do you identify and minimize work stress?
Work related stress is inevitable, but as leaders how you support your employees through this and accepting that this is a tremendous work/life hazard is very important.
A genuine commitment by a management team or yourself as the case may be, shows a culture of care and compassion in your company. Lower absenteeism, better collaboration and increased work satisfaction leads to organizational adaptability, and better customer care.
Identify the person in distress
Often putting yourself in another’s shoes is almost always the best way. As someone who has been at some level of stress, you are in the best position to know how much the other person is going through. Absenteeism is one way to identify, as is a lack of interest and participation in person and voice at meetings and gatherings. A personal and genuine chat with the employee may find answers.
Validate their pain
One way is a clear chat that you can identify with their pain and encourage them to talk about themselves. Something like ‘I have been there and understand work stress but yours may be different so would like if you could explain to me’ It’s a good opportunity to tell your employee one on one that you care about their health and wellbeing, so take it. Do not trivialize their pain at any stage, it will only increase it.
Try to help genuinely
Most often how we think we are helping and being genuinely helpful are two different things. We often feel we can identify with it and provide answers. Don’t. Take the time to let them unburden themselves, listen to the full story before providing solutions. Also make an effort to gather facts, maybe talk to another employee in the same area of work. They may have a different coping method or have same afflictions.
Consider the best form of help
Those who have been through some level of distress not directly related to work sometimes are in a better position to offer compassion. Leaders can also try paring them with a mentor.
If you have been there and done that you will know the difficulty of the job. May be work with them a day or two to find out more. “You guys have a load – let me help a little’ which will not just give you a glimpse of their difficulties, but will surely endear you as a boss.
It’s important to understand that today people spend most of their hours at work and often look to their job for satisfaction, validation and sense of accomplishment more than paycheck. So your role is going to be vital to their wellbeing not just at work but general life. Just thinking differently about how you support others you can create a tremendous work culture in your organization.
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