Army Ranger Reveals How to Control Corporate Stress

Title: Army Ranger Reveals How to Control
Corporate Stress
Length: 991 Words
Author: Dale Collie
Email: MailTo:collie@couragebuilders.com
Category: Business/Leadership/Stress/Motivatio

Web Address: http://www.couragebuilders.comnCopyright 2004

You may publish this article electronically ornin print f`r`e`e of charge. Just include my fullnbyline and add a hyperlink for web postings. Whennyou publish, please send a courtesy link or emailnto collie@couragebuilders.comnn**************************************************

Army Ranger Reveals How to Control Corporate
Stress by Dale Collie

"Adopting the right attitude can convert annegative stress into a positive one." Hans Selye -nthe "father of stress" and founder of the Canadia

Institute of Stress.

Every worker in America has heard of individualnstress management techniques -- relaxation,nmeditation, and visualization -- good tools forngetting through stressful periods. But if they'renso great, why do we still have all this stress?

We're going to need something more than moodnmusic, aroma therapy, and comfortable lighting tonget beyond the stress of today's workplace. We'rengoing to need management's attention becausenstress control is a leadership responsibility.

The US Army has plenty of experience with stressncontrol as front line leaders strive to keep GIsnon the job. Traditionally, the US Army has lostnas many soldiers to stress as to enemy gunfire - anratio of 1:1. The most elite units trim this lossnto a ratio of 1:10 - one stress loss for every 10nwounded soldiers.

Regardless of the ratio, every front line soldie
is critical to winning the battle. Commandersnknow that controlling stress under fire is asncritical as food, fuel, and ammunition. The samenholds true for corporate America. You can't getnhigh productivity with high absenteeism.

Combat leaders watch for stress symptoms and takenaction. They are taught to "Know your troops, andnbe alert for any sudden, persistent or progressivenchange in their behavior that threatens thenfunctioning and safety of your unit." (FM 6-22.5,
"Combat Stress")

Specifically, front line leaders are taught tonhelp overstressed soldiers in six ways:

Army Step 1. Reassurance

Corporate Solution: Some people need contact withnthe boss to assure them that things will turn outnok. Spend time to find out worker's conce
s. Asknfor their observations on recent events. Find outnwhat they think about upcoming changes. Ask forntheir advice -- they'll admire you forndemonstrating your trust. Simple remarks showingnyour confidence in workers can make a bigndifference.

Army Step 2. Rest and sleep

Corporate Solution: Its worth your while to offe
some additional time off if stress is interferingnwith performance. Consider giving additionalnbreaks to relieve mental and physical fatigue.
Improved productivity will more than pay for thenunstructured breaks that over-stressed workersnwill take on their own.

Find out what's needed to help employees get morenrest at home. Bring in experts to teach thenimportance of rest and relaxation. Take a look atnthat overtime schedule; the extra work might bentaking its toll in absenteeism, illness,naccidents, and attitudes.

Army Step 3. Food and fluids

Corporate Solutions: You can influence how peopleneat by getting experts to teach the importance ofnproper nutrition. Make sure nutritious snacks arenavailable alongside the junk food in vendingnmachines. Provide healthy snacks mid-mo
ing andnmid-afte
oon when energy levels begin to fade.
The investment will pay off in better performance.
Reward good health.

Army Step 4. Hygiene - bathing, clean uniforms

Corporate Solution: A scheduled break to getncleaned up before lunch or after a hard day ofndirty work can pay off in a big way. Make sureneveryone has the right protective clothing for thenjob. Extreme temperature and dampness createnstress that can be easily relieved by prope
apparel and hygiene breaks. And, as surprising asnit might seem, some employees do not have runningnwater at home.

Not all of them have hot water. Not all of themnhave washing machines. Make these things availablenat your workplace or find alte
atives. One-timenarrangements can go a long way in helping stressednworkers get their emotions under control and getntheir productivity up where it belongs.

Army Step 5. Discussion - A chance to talk aboutnwhat happened, to tell war stories

Corporate Solution: Everyone benefits from anchance to tell about what went on. Some peoplenare more sensitive than others. There is oftenngreat value in routine meetings to kick off thenshift or explain the day's activities. Schedulingntime before or after meetings to talk about whatnhappened can relieve stress for those in the spotnlight. Team discussions after sales calls cannhelp stressed workers understand the results andnfocus on what needs to be done.

In times of high stress, some people need to talknabout what happened to others around them - familynmembers, community tragedies. Managers can handlenthe day-to-day conversations and experts arenavailable to address major stressors. Helpnworkers tell their "war stories."

Army Step 6. Restoring identity and confidencenwith useful work

Corporate Solution: As soon as possible, ove
stressed workers need to return to their positionsnof responsibility. They need to see that (a) theyncan perform well (b) that management recognizesntheir efforts (c) and that life goes on.
Emphasize small accomplishments. Find reasons tonreward each person for their achievements.

GIs usually return to their jobs after a shortnrest, a hot shower, a chat with their supervisor,nand a warm meal. Your people can do the same.
Most of the time, they can continue in their jobsnif you pay attention to their basic needs.

Watch for high stress period in your businessncycle and schedule time to work on these sixnsteps. You'll improve productivity and thenworkplace environment by taking care of you
people. Your investment of time and money will benrewarded in better performance and lower costs.

Work with your human resources experts to assistnthose who are beyond your ability. Let thenprofessionals take care of the severe cases whilenyou take care of your other employees and get thenwork done.

Can you identify employees who are suffering fromnstress? Do you know what to do about it? Evaluatenemployee problems with an eye toward stressncontrol. Send a blank email tontoptenstressors@couragebuilders.com for a f`r`e`enarticle about the top ten causes of workplacenstress.

Copyright 2004 - Dale Collie

Dale Collie (MailTo:collie@couragebuilders.com)nspeaker and former US Army Ranger, CEO,and professor at
West Point. Selected by "Fast Company" as one of
America's Fast 50 innovative leaders. Author ofn"Frontline Leadership: From War Room to Boardroom,"nand "Winning Under Fire: Turn Stress into Successnthe US Army Way." (McGraw- Hil) Free newsletter uponnrequest: MailTo:subscribe-956606571@ezinedirector.net

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