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Title: Army Ranger Reveals How to ControlCorporate StressLength: 991 WordsAuthor: Dale CollieEmail: MailTo:[email protected]: Business/Leadership/Stress/MotivationWeb Address: http://www.couragebuilders.comCopyright 2004You may publish this article electronically orin print f`r`e`e of charge. Just include my fullbyline and add a hyperlink for web postings. Whenyou publish, please send a courtesy link or emailto [email protected]**************************************************Army Ranger Reveals How to Control CorporateStress by Dale Collie"Adopting the right attitude can convert anegative stress into a positive one." Hans Selye -the "father of stress" and founder of the CanadianInstitute of Stress.Every worker in America has heard of individualstress management techniques -- relaxation,meditation, and visualization -- good tools forgetting through stressful periods. But if they'reso great, why do we still have all this stress?We're going to need something more than moodmusic, aroma therapy, and comfortable lighting toget beyond the stress of today's workplace. We'regoing to need management's attention becausestress control is a leadership responsibility.The US Army has plenty of experience with stresscontrol as front line leaders strive to keep GIson the job. Traditionally, the US Army has lostas many soldiers to stress as to enemy gunfire - aratio of 1:1. The most elite units trim this lossto a ratio of 1:10 - one stress loss for every 10wounded soldiers.Regardless of the ratio, every front line soldieris critical to winning the battle. Commandersknow that controlling stress under fire is ascritical as food, fuel, and ammunition. The sameholds true for corporate America. You can't gethigh productivity with high absenteeism.Combat leaders watch for stress symptoms and takeaction. They are taught to "Know your troops, andbe alert for any sudden, persistent or progressivechange in their behavior that threatens thefunctioning and safety of your unit." (FM 6-22.5,"Combat Stress")Specifically, front line leaders are taught tohelp overstressed soldiers in six ways:Army Step 1. ReassuranceCorporate Solution: Some people need contact withthe boss to assure them that things will turn outok. Spend time to find out worker's concerns. Askfor their observations on recent events. Find outwhat they think about upcoming changes. Ask fortheir advice -- they'll admire you fordemonstrating your trust. Simple remarks showingyour confidence in workers can make a bigdifference.Army Step 2. Rest and sleepCorporate Solution: Its worth your while to offersome additional time off if stress is interferingwith performance. Consider giving additionalbreaks to relieve mental and physical fatigue. Improved productivity will more than pay for theunstructured breaks that over-stressed workerswill take on their own. Find out what's needed to help employees get morerest at home. Bring in experts to teach theimportance of rest and relaxation. Take a look atthat overtime schedule; the extra work might betaking its toll in absenteeism, illness,accidents, and attitudes.Army Step 3. Food and fluidsCorporate Solutions: You can influence how peopleeat by getting experts to teach the importance ofproper nutrition. Make sure nutritious snacks areavailable alongside the junk food in vendingmachines. Provide healthy snacks mid-morning andmid-afternoon when energy levels begin to fade.The investment will pay off in better performance.Reward good health.Army Step 4. Hygiene - bathing, clean uniformsCorporate Solution: A scheduled break to getcleaned up before lunch or after a hard day ofdirty work can pay off in a big way. Make sureeveryone has the right protective clothing for thejob. Extreme temperature and dampness createstress that can be easily relieved by properapparel and hygiene breaks. And, as surprising asit might seem, some employees do not have runningwater at home.Not all of them have hot water. Not all of themhave washing machines. Make these things availableat your workplace or find alternatives. One-timearrangements can go a long way in helping stressedworkers get their emotions under control and gettheir productivity up where it belongs.Army Step 5. Discussion - A chance to talk aboutwhat happened, to tell war storiesCorporate Solution: Everyone benefits from achance to tell about what went on. Some peopleare more sensitive than others. There is oftengreat value in routine meetings to kick off theshift or explain the day's activities. Schedulingtime before or after meetings to talk about whathappened can relieve stress for those in the spotlight. Team discussions after sales calls canhelp stressed workers understand the results andfocus on what needs to be done.In times of high stress, some people need to talkabout what happened to others around them - familymembers, community tragedies. Managers can handlethe day-to-day conversations and experts areavailable to address major stressors. Helpworkers tell their "war stories."Army Step 6. Restoring identity and confidencewith useful workCorporate Solution: As soon as possible, overstressed workers need to return to their positionsof responsibility. They need to see that (a) theycan perform well (b) that management recognizestheir efforts (c) and that life goes on. Emphasize small accomplishments. Find reasons toreward each person for their achievements.GIs usually return to their jobs after a shortrest, a hot shower, a chat with their supervisor,and a warm meal. Your people can do the same.Most of the time, they can continue in their jobsif you pay attention to their basic needs.Watch for high stress period in your businesscycle and schedule time to work on these sixsteps. You'll improve productivity and theworkplace environment by taking care of yourpeople. Your investment of time and money will berewarded in better performance and lower costs.Work with your human resources experts to assistthose who are beyond your ability. Let theprofessionals take care of the severe cases whileyou take care of your other employees and get thework done.Can you identify employees who are suffering fromstress? Do you know what to do about it? Evaluateemployee problems with an eye toward stresscontrol. Send a blank email [email protected] for a f`r`e`earticle about the top ten causes of workplacestress.Copyright 2004 - Dale CollieDale Collie (MailTo:[email protected])speaker and former US Army Ranger, CEO,and professor atWest Point. Selected by "Fast Company" as one ofAmerica's Fast 50 innovative leaders. Author of"Frontline Leadership: From War Room to Boardroom,"and "Winning Under Fire: Turn Stress into Successthe US Army Way." (McGraw- Hil) Free newsletter uponrequest: MailTo:[email protected] Article Tags: Army Ranger Reveals, Army Ranger, Ranger Reveals, Front Line