TT&S Weekly (10/1/12)
Topic of the Week Bosses Have Less Stress
Bosses Have Less Stress, Executive Summary:
- Control.
- Connection.
- Compassion.
- Caring.
Bosses Have Less Stress: And What This Means For You
You probably should sit down before you read what I'm about to tell you. A recent study from Harvard University found that bosses actually experience less stress at work than the employees who report to them. For all the hype about the pressures of the executive suite, the corner office types aren't the real stress junkies. In fact, it's us. Which reminds me of the new Apple maps program, according to news reports a search for Cleveland, GA will take you to Cleveland, TN. Type in Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville, FL and you'll end up at a Public Supermarket, because the hospital moved eleven years ago.
Suffice it to say if you rely on the Apple maps app you'll end up in the wrong place. And you'll end up in an even worse place if you believe that stress is required at work. Or to quote President Dwight Eisenhower, "Hitting people over the head isn't leadership, it's assault." According to researchers, bosses experience less stress because they have more control over their work life. Check out these numbers on stress at work, according to a study by Regus, 59% of us agree that our job is a major cause of stress, 48% say the stress level is increasing and workers are larger companies say that they're more stressed that those at smaller companies. So how can you get more control over your job and, like your boss, reduce your stress level? Just follow my 4 "C's."
Control. Let's start by redefining control. We're not talking Donald Trump style jerk tantrums, no asserting control to me involves bringing more pride and ownership to the job your doing. But don't hold your projects too tightly, you want to be open to contributions from the people you work with. Here are three more key components for taking control:
Connection. When was the last time that you did someone a favor? Really listened to a colleague instead of constantly glancing at your phone or computer? I prefer to think of connection as an investment, you put time into the people you work with and it ultimately helps you because other people start watching your back and helping you to succeed.
Compassion. What if CYourA became CTheirA? Instead of just looking out for yourself, what if you looked out for people who were struggling at work. Offered to pitch in. Warn them when you see a problem ahead for them and showed real compassion to them.
Caring. When was the last time that you allowed yourself to be vulnerable at work? Not just to anyone, but with someone who you could trust. I think it's important to break through the insincerity to really show people that you care about them.
Okay, I didn't learn anything about connection, compassion or caring in the MBA program that I attended. But those are the ways that things get done with human beings in the real world. Follow these tips and your organization will arrive at a great destination, success.
Bob Rosner is a best-selling author and award-winning journalist. For free job and work advice, check out the award-winning workplace911.com. Check the revised edition of his Wall Street Journal best seller, "The Boss's Survival Guide." If you have a question for Bob, contact him via bob@workplace911.com.
Thought of the Week
"Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one."
–Hans Selye
Weekly Comic by Jerry King
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Top Five News Headlines
List of the Week
from Harris Interactive
Stressors at Work: Top Sources of Stress
- Low wages, 11% (for women it's 14%)
- Annoying coworkers, 10%
- Commuting, 9%
- Workload, 9%
- Job outside chosen career, 8%