Overview
What is stress?
What factors explain workplace stress?
Why is workplace stress a problem worthy of attention?
Why do we need stress management policies?
What is stress management?
Whose responsibility is it to ensure workplace stress is managed?
Examples of workplace stress management policies
Stress at Work
Stress can occur at both an individual and group level
Individual Perceptions of Stress
Factors influencing individual perceptions of stress:
Burnout Processes
How should burnout be handled by an organisation?
How can burnout be prevented?
The link between confidence and stress
How to feel more confident in social situations
Handle objections, reduce stress
Don’t take it personally
Get all of the facts
Take your time
Keep your shared goals in mind
Make sure that if an objector must be overruled, that they feel heard
Remember that handling objections gracefully, gives you future leverage
Why a few questions can save you plenty of stress
How to avoid vague questions
Powerful words to use when questioning someone
Prompts to use when you require more information
Follow-up questions
How gaining others’ confidence leads to lower stress levels
Have belief in yourself
Have belief in your arguments
Follow through on your promises
Model good behaviour
Show empathy and understanding
Why advanced listening is conducive to stress reduction
Why is it so hard to truly listen?
How to engage in advanced, active listening
The value of feedback
How to encourage others to provide you with feedback
Handling positive feedback
Handling negative feedback
Dealing with unfair, or inaccurate feedback
Minimising conflict related stress
What does negative or unresponsive behaviour look like?
Understanding the other person’s position
Creating positive outcomes
Negotiating the first steps of your success
Developing Techniques to Handle Stress Positively
The importance of diet
The importance of exercise
The importance of building a support network
Time management
Mindfulness
Finding a broader sense of purpose
The power of journaling
Applying These Techniques to The Individual’s Environment
Ensure natural light when possible.
Ensure that individuals have access to water and high-quality food.
Ensure that individuals have adequate time for breaks.
Encourage individuals to personalise (within reason) their space with photos and décor that improves their mood.
Offer regular opportunities for training in skills that will lower stress levels.
Provide opportunities for everyone in a team, or office, to form positive relationships.
Putting your new knowledge into action
Your personal stress prevention checklist
The power of faking it – the Facial Feedback Hypothesis
The importance of good posture
Shake hands like a confident person
Use eye contact appropriately
Do not fidget
Smile like a confident person
Adopt an open, rather than closed, body position
Mirroring
Using all the senses to grab attention
Receiving and Coping With High Impact Conversation
Do some background research before you go in.
Try not to jump to conclusions.
Plan for the worst, but hope for the best.
Do some deep breathing exercises.
If in doubt, ask for more time.
Remember to present yourself as a confident person.
Take notes
Take a Quick Recap Test