Stress at the workplace primarily emerges in three situations: shortage of time, strained relationships or when employees feel they are getting a raw deal. But a good leader can help his team manage stress levels at individual and group levels, says Mahima Puri.
1 Stick to Schedules “If the team can effectively manage time, there will be no or little stress,” says management & life skills trainer Yadhav Mehra. “Project schedules should not be stretched beyond a stage, otherwise energy levels and productivity drop, leading to stress and frayed tempers,” adds Venkatraman Girish, senior VP – HR, Jubilant FoodWorks. Team meetings should be well-timed, he says.
2 Encourage Breaks Having a little ‘me-time’ during office hours can help manage stress. ‘‘Encourage your team members to take some time off during office hours and indulge in activities that relax them,” says Girish.
3 Allocate Jobs Well A team leader or manager should allocate work as per capabilities and capacity, says Mehra. “A manager should give specific deadlines, instead of demanding all the work be done in a few days,” he adds.
4 Resolve Conflicts A good manager always tries to resolve conflicts among co-workers, instead of brushing them under the carpet. “If it’s not possible to resolve conflicts, keep them open instead of concealing them. Sometimes it’s alright if two people cannot get along,” says Mehra.
5 Outline Common Goals Pushing the team towards a shared goal or a common target helps build what Mehra calls ‘positive stress’. “Working towards a shared goal lends a sense of excitement, instead of fear or insecurity, which is typical in a competitive environment. When a shared goal is achieved, everyone is a winner,” he says.
(The Economic Times, Mumbai, 10-04-2012)
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