Managing StressManaging Stress

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

OverviewOverview

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

performance

DefinitionDefinition

• 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 StressEffects of Stress

• A balance or imbalance of:– Driving Forces (stressors)

– Restraining Forces (resiliency)

Elements of StressElements of Stress

Current Level of FunctioningCurrent 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 StressElements 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 StressElements 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 StressElements of Stress

• General Reactions– Alarm

– Resistance

– Exhaustion

Reactions to StressReactions 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 StressReactions to Stress

Stress not only affects employees and followers but get in the way of effective management and leadership

Stress ModelStress Model

StressorsStressors• AnticipatoryAnticipatory• EncounterEncounter• TimeTime• SituationalSituational

ReactionsReactions• PhysiologicalPhysiological• PsychologicalPsychological

ResiliencyResiliency• PhysicalPhysical• PsychologicalPsychological• SocialSocial

Experiencing StressExperiencing Stress

• Aggression - attack the stressor

• Regression - childish

• Repression - denial

• Withdrawal - attention gap/escape

• Fixation – pointless persistence

Defense MechanismsDefense Mechanisms

• Enactive – creating non-stress environment

• Proactive – increasing resiliency

• Reactive – short-term

Coping StrategiesCoping Strategies

Develop resiliency strategiesDevelop resiliency strategiesEliminate StressorsEliminate Stressors

PermanentPermanent

EnactiveEnactive

Long TimeLong Time

Long TermLong Term

ProactiveProactive

Moderate TimeModerate Time

Learn temporary coping Learn temporary coping mechanismsmechanisms

Short TermShort Term

ReactiveReactive

ImmediateImmediate

Enactive StrategiesEnactive Strategies Proactive StrategiesProactive Strategies Reactive StrategiesReactive Strategies

Managing StressManaging 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 ManagementTime Management

• 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 ManagementTime 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 email

– Have place to work uninterrupted

– Do something definitive w/ every piece of paper

Time ManagementTime Management

• Efficient Techniques– Keep work area clean

– Delegate work

– Identify amount of effort

– Give others credit for success

Time ManagementTime Management

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

SummarySummary