In the fast-paced world we live in, stress has become an inevitable companion for many. While some individuals handle stress with ease, others may find it challenging to manage, affecting both their personal and professional lives. To be successful, it’s important to learn how to work with stress-prone co-workers who don’t manage stress well. I can tell you fro experience, this can be taxing especially when your paycheck and professional reputation is on the line.
I remember early in my career, as a former athlete, observing how different co-workers would manage stress at work. Many times I noticed that my experience as an athlete helped me build my mental resilience, allowing me to efficiently work through stressful situations. My background as an athlete allowed me to acquire qualities such as patience, empathy, and effective communication. Here, I’ll share a few tips to help you collaborate successfully with stress-prone colleagues.
How to Work With Stress-Prone Co-Workers
Foster Open Communication. The first step in working effectively with stress-prone individuals is establishing open lines of communication. Encourage your colleagues to express their feelings and concerns without judgment. Create a safe space where they feel comfortable discussing stressors and collaborate on finding solutions together. Actively listen to their perspectives and validate their experiences, fostering a supportive environment. When working with coworkers experiencing stress, instead of judging their behavior, I do my best to create that safe space so they can communicate and work through their concerns as quickly as possible.
Set Clear Expectations. Uncertainty and ambiguity can amplify stress levels. Set clear expectations regarding project timelines, responsibilities, and goals. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities help alleviate anxiety by providing a roadmap for success. Regularly check in on progress, offering constructive feedback to maintain a sense of control and direction. This strategy is especially helpful if you’re managing a team or working within one.
Encourage Healthy Coping Mechanisms. Stress-prone individuals often resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as overeating, excessive caffeine consumption, or isolation. Encourage healthier alternatives like regular exercise, mindfulness practices, or breaks during the workday. Promote a positive work-life balance to prevent burnout and improve overall well-being. Like I’ve mentioned in other posts, there are many things you can do to help encourage healthy coping mechanisms. For example, embracing active breaks like working out or walking around the office during a break can help eliminate the stress of your office mates.
Provide Resources for Stress Management. I’ve had co-workers share tons of resources with me to help with professional development, skill acquisition and more. To help with stress, offer resources to help your colleagues develop effective stress management strategies. This could include workshops, webinars, or access to mental health resources. By proactively addressing stress, you empower your team members to build resilience and cope more effectively with the demands of their work.
Be Flexible and Adaptable. Recognize that everyone has different thresholds for stress. Be flexible and adaptable in your approach, understanding that what works for one person may not work for another. Be willing to make adjustments to accommodate individual needs and preferences, promoting a collaborative and understanding work environment. Do you know how different athletes respond to pressure different? The same goes for your colleagues. Some may respond better to walking through or talking about a situation. Others may prefer to decompress or review a situation solo before addressing it. Being flexible helps you work with different types of people who handle stress differently.
Break Down Tasks into Manageable Steps. Large, overwhelming tasks can contribute significantly to stress. Break down projects into smaller, more manageable steps. This not only makes the workload more digestible but also provides a sense of accomplishment with each completed task, boosting confidence and reducing stress. This approach can be super helpful when working on time-sensitive projects, or big tasks like events. I’ve had situations at work events where something doesn’t go according to plan. I remember working at an event where our check-in process was riddled with errors. While some co-workers who were really stressed out, I quickly devised a process to help address the problem at hand while maintaining a great check-in experience for our guests. Breaking down one large problem into smaller steps helped us check guests in, and maintain a professional front.
Lead by Example. Demonstrate effective stress management techniques by leading by example. Showcase healthy habits such as taking breaks, practicing mindfulness, and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of challenges. Your actions can inspire others to adopt similar practices, creating a culture of well-being within the workplace. I’ve learned that having a calm, cool demeanor at work also helps
As a reminder, here are a few ways you can deal with your own stress… especially when people stress you out:
- Organize and Prioritize. Creating a list helps me take my stress levels down many notches. I start by prioritizing tasks based on their urgency and importance, then I break down large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks.
- Time Management. Give yourself realistic deadlines so that you don’t get overwhelmed.
- Learn to Say No. Don’t over-commit yourself. It’s okay to decline additional responsibilities if you’re already stretched thin.
- Take Breaks. Schedule short breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Powering through might get you results, but could result in being overwhelmed and burnt out. Use your breaks to engage in activities that help you relax, like taking a short walk or practicing deep breathing.
- Exercise Regularly. Athletes know that physical activity is an excellent stress reliever. If you’re not currently competing full-time, aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle. Get enough sleep each night and eat a balanced diet to support your overall healthy.
- Delegate Tasks. If you’re overwhelmed at work, don’t hesitate to delegate tasks when appropriate. It can lighten your workload and reduce stress.
- Positive Mindset. Focus on what you can control and let go of things beyond your control. When things get really stupid at my job, I embrace positivity and remind myself that despite the craziness, I have a job that is paying my bills and putting shoes on my daughters feet.
Working with people who don’t manage stress well requires a thoughtful and compassionate approach. By actively incorporating different techniques to manage the stress of others, you can create a supportive work environment that promotes the well-being of all team members. Remember, not everybody is equipped with the stress-management tools you might’ve mastered as an athlete. A little empathy and understanding go a long way in building a resilient and harmonious workplace.