Stress, Crisis and Change Management

Stress

• A condition when demands exceed resources.
• Can be negative or positive.

Types of Stress

• Dysfunctional: Debilitating.
• Functional: Prevents failure, promotes best effort.

Causes of Stress

• External: Physical threats, situations, people.
• Internal: Reactions, personality, perception, self-imposed limits.

Constant Stress

• Leads to illness.
• Requires exercise and balance.

Procrastination

• Leads to more stress.
• Avoid excuses.
• Perfection paralyzes performance.
• Face fears and focus on gains.

Coping with Stress

• Depends on the individual.
• Type A: Perfectionist.
• Type B: Laid back.
• Control reactions.
• Build support systems.

Short Term Stress Management

• Rest, relax, good nutrition, exercise.
• Diversion techniques.
• Speak to someone, listen to others.
• Learn to say no.
• Analyze perceptions.
• Do acts of kindness, treat yourself.

Long Term Stress Management

• Understand yourself and stressors.
• Self and time-management.
• Counseling for major issues.
• Build support systems & relationships.
• Integrate short-term techniques into daily life.

Relevance to Business World

• Money lost due to stress impact.
• Reduced productivity and emotional issues.
• Contributes to illness and time off.
• Functional stress improves performance.
• Employers offer gyms, childcare.

Crisis Management

• Crisis: Out of control situation.
• Arises from physical danger, personal, inter-personal, or social issues.

Stages of Crisis

• Pre-crisis: Equilibrium, risk management, alternative plans, resources.
• Mid-crisis: Safety, control, information, communication.
• Post-crisis: Count costs, learn, prevent, develop coping skills, counseling.

Relevance to Business World (Crisis)

• Micro: Employee issues.
• Market: Supplier issues, lawsuits, strikes.
• Macro: PESTLE crises.

Change Management

• Change is inevitable.
• Planned change: aging.
• Unexpected change: accidents.
• Can be positive or negative.

Resistance to Change

• People drawn to comfort zones.
• Change seen as threatening.
• Consult, inform, provide alternatives & resources.
• Evaluate outcomes.

Relevance to Business World (Change)

• Micro: Business vision/mission.
• Market: Customer/competitor changes, environmental scanning.
• Macro: Uncontrollable threats.