5 Tips to Reduce & Manage your Employees’ Emotions Under Pressure
Emotions and pressure come hand in hand with the working environment. This is especially seen in smaller business operations given the lower amount of resources and higher expectations. Emotional levels vary across individuals; many of which are unable to control them effectively. Pressure is also a given in companies. Employees should complete and execute their tasks within a set time frame.
Some employees are more productive under pressure and many others can crumble under such circumstances. Emotional outbursts and dealing with pressure are normal across any organization. Trying to eliminate them is not the answer. The key here is being effective in maintaining both emotions and pressure and knowing how to deal with them appropriately.
The following tips can help reduce and manage your employee’s emotions under pressure:
Recognize changes
You need to recognize changes in your employee’s behavior and mood. By noticing negative changes early on you are able to get to the roots of the problem before they hurl out of control. Sudden changes in an employees productivity levels, absences from work or anything related to work output are alarm bells. These are usually signs indicative of emotional dilemmas and/or stress from pressure in which you need to be constantly aware and prepared for. Make this a priority within your business and get your employees in the habit of also noticing changes from their colleagues.
Maintain a positive attitude
Negative working energy can be a domino effect. It can literally take over the ambiance of the workplace and impact negatively on the motivation of each employee. Keeping a positive attitude, even when some employees make it hard to do so, can re-enthuse self-esteem and motivation. It can also reduce the levels of pressure. In times of pressure, send out messages of encouragement. Learn not to criticize your employees; it just makes them feel even worse. Make your employees not second-guess themselves, even when mistakes or poor judgments are made, but rather instill confidence. Keep on smiling and maintain composure during the rough times to further build positive momentum to keep your employees pushing forward.
Adopt workplace health strategies
Everyone can always benefit from time-out. Putting in place workplace health strategies can assist in alleviating emotions and pressure. Consider weekly onsite yoga sessions or setting up a relaxation room (e.g. music, punching bags, exercise machines); a room where employees can have their time away to re-evaluate and recollect emotions. Increasing the well-being of your employees can empower themselves to effectively regulate their emotions and minimize negative reactions when under pressure.
Support
Support is always a great backbone for employees. Whether it is support from fellow co-workers or management, both are essential in helping employees bounce back. Support not only allows employees to feel they have someone to turn to, but it also helps keep the working environment stable and productive. Sometimes, all an employee needs are to talk it out. Getting things off one’s chest can relieve emotions and pressure when having someone to blow off their steam! Communication is indeed a great asset as a manager and one that can make a difference in times of emotions and pressure. Leaders should set an example for their employees during these difficult times, by inspiring and giving hope. Milestone gifts for employees such as vouchers for relaxing spa treatments, vacations or even a simple dinner out can also be a great way to show appreciation and to help employees recharge and relax
Set realistic expectations
Plan work schedules that create realistic time frames and tasks to be completed for employees. Don’t throw a whole heap of a workload at any one given time. Plan ahead appropriately and divide tasks accordingly. That said, however, you should also consider investing in time management workshops that educate employees how to prioritize and manage workloads. Adopting these tips is essential to maintaining a professional and positive working atmosphere. Don’t be someone who pushes asides these situations or you will be faced with an escalating downpour of unfit workers.When you allow your employees to bottle up their emotions, the more havoc it will bring. Not only to you but to your company too! When you plan ahead and create a plan that can effectively alleviate the inevitable nature of emotions and pressure, then this will allow you to take sound control when such triggers do arise.
Case study: University College London (UCL) makes it their upmost priority to keep their staff happy and satisfied. They have integrated a ‘management standard’ program that supports their employees when emotions and pressure surface. Through training sessions, support network, on-going communication and feedback as well as providing resources, they have successfully been able to promote a working atmosphere where employees and management are able to deal effectively when difficulties do arise. In addition, the College promotes this by posting posters across their departments to consistently remind employees of the importance of their employee’s welfare.
Subscribe to our newsletter