Stress can be defined as an external force impinging on the individual. An effective stress challenge is important to an individual since it enables them to learn. Stress can motivate an individual to work hard and get out of that particular state. Conversely, stress is documented as a cause of short and long term problems (Lori, 1999). . Hormones that alert us whenever there is a stressful moment are very important since it may cause us to fight or run away(Bjorklund, 2010). Taking affirmative action in a stress response is an effective response which may prevent an individual from physical and emotional health problems. Heart attack has been linked to constant stress at work and at home (Lori, 1999) . High blood pressure is the major factor for heart attack, it may occur as a result of excessive generation of hormone noradrenalin.
Stress is manifested in four stages
Stage one-The first stage is where an individual is overworked. In this case they are reluctant to take a leave just to relax and repackage before resuming work. Working becomes more important and they pay more attention to it than any other thing.
Stage two- this is a stage where an individual becomes restless, irritated and self-judgment for under performance. They feel they are not achieving set goals. Consequently, undergo meals and start paying little care for themselves or their relationships.
Third stage- resentful and guilty develops in the third stage where an individual feels they do not have enough time for leisure. Working is no more enjoyable of it used to be. The guilt of being responsible for poor family relationship as a result of not having enough time to spend out with them is realized.
Fourth stage- this is a stage where an individual has failed to take affirmative action in the current situation. They ‘flee’ from the stressing issues by withdrawing or succumbing to illness. The emotional and physical breakdown is the event in such cases where an individual feels that he/she has failed to achieve set goals.
If stress is not managed, it can lead to health complications at home and at the work. The most important point to note is if the person under stress can identify the source of their predicament. Therefore, The question that I will ask the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maria
Visionaria, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mujibar Delhi and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Wanda Sharp is if they know the source of their stress. To successfully help they do this I will develop a score sheet or a form that they will be able to fill.
What is the source of your stress
Career Development
Job, Insecurity, poor pay, unsecured future, lack of status
Job content and satisfaction
A lot or lack of work, impossible targets, job variety at work
Work schedule
Not time off, anti-social hours, far from home
Colleagues
Unsupportive workmates, no one to share with
Firm culture
No supervision or support from the firm, a lot of pending issues on you
Money
Having lots of debt, financial concerns, no savings
Illness
Health fears, exhaustion, problems overcoming minor ailments, slow recovery
Time Management
Large “to do” list, full diary, impatience when waiting for work to come back, sense of urgency
Spouse/Partner
Frequent arguments, unfair sharing of chores little time alone together, outside pressures
Family
Small children/teenagers at home, responsibility for family decisions, elderly parents to care for, abuse in the past
House
Unsatisfactory living accommodation, impending house move, too little space, growing recent or a list of chores and things that need to be fixed
Source http://www.liv.asn.au/PDF/GettingAdvice/LawCare/LawCare_Stress.aspx
After the managers have identified their sources of stress it is important to inform them that being under stress may result in to undesirable behaviour such as being cruel to others. Employees should therefore understand and appreciate people with personal stress which they may not be able to help. Offering support and advice whenever needed is very important. Given that I am a new employee in the organization, I will restrain from actively involving into their personal issues. I will offer self stress management guide. The guide should enable them to identify that they have a problem and take affirmative action.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) should be able to take a leave and be with the family in order to reinstate the relationship. Since she is an inspiration leader sometimes she expects much of the employees, to be inspired by her actions. Thus when it fails to happen, the CEO is stressed. Having overworked at the company, she expects at the age of 50 to have someone who can deliver or lead in just like she did. She should be advised to appreciate a different kind of leadership style which may achieve the same results.
Mr. Mujibar Delhi is struggling with the issue of age and its effects such as fatigue and forgetting things. The other issue is about the uncertainty of the future, he feels working is the best thing that satisfies his life. Mujibar Delhi I could tell him that age and the changes coming along are normal things and everyone will have to undergo it. Therefore, self-esteem and confidence in himself should be the key point at work. It is also important to point out that not only do people enjoy what they are used to doing for a long period, exploring new avenues and activities is another thing that he should embrace. Retirement is not a punishment or being declared useless, this is the fear that he faces and he must conquer it.
Chief Financial Officer has a situation of being perfect and would like to be a person that everyone looks up to in the organization. The family aspect with the teenage boy struggling with drug abuse lowers her self-esteem. She feels that she has failed to achieve in upholding the perfection at home. Wanda feels that she is not respected since her marriage is not working out. Family issues especially to do with children should be taken as a positive challenge and not a point of blaming yourself. Work authority should be differentiated from home issues.
In a summary the following will be the advice to the three top managers of my new working place
Stress management
At Home
At Work
Have a healthy eating habit and do exercise regularly
Stop working as soon as you feel you are stressed, relax and ask yourself the source of stress.
Avoid habits such as smoking as a way of reducing stress, it adds craving for a smoke
Work within schedule, avoid overworking and learn to say NO to unreasonable demands
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption it worsens the situation since it is a depressant
Deadlines and outputs should be realists
Spare time with your loved ones, for the purpose of relaxing
Make sure you have free time to attend to emergency issues
Plan an early holiday with your family, a vacation for family bonding
Have enough time for short break and lunch break
References
Barbara R. Bjorklund B. & Bjorklundbarbara R. (2010). Journey of Adulthood ( 7th ed.) Upper Saddle: Prentice Hall.
Law Institute Victoria, Workplace and personal stress, retrieved from http://www.liv.asn.au/PDF/GettingAdvice/LawCare/LawCare_Stress.aspx
Lori, A. L., (1999). The Stress Management Handbook: Strategies for Health and Inner Peace: Keats Publishing.
