| The
Point Of Pressure
Pressure
is a perfectly useful stimulus for change,
in fact nothing moves without it. How useful or perfect it is
depends on your position and perhaps, whether you perceive it
as positive or negative, are witnessing the response of others
to pressure, or experiencing it firsthand!
World
financial markets are a classic example.
The media is full of factual information and sensational stories.
How affected you are may depend on your exposure to the stock
market and/or level of debt, need for cash and risk profile.
As
an observer, media reports are simply words
read by someone who values knowledge of current market trends.
Should you be imminently adversely affected however, you will
be more likely to be experiencing pressure.
For
some it may be crisis management.
However, it is more likely to be more drawn out, a feeling of
constant worry, struggle and often overwhelm. The problem may
be immediate, the consequences perceived as long term and negative.
This
situation is a useful metaphor for ongoing corporate change…
the perspectives are the same, the circumstances slightly different.
In the case of corporate change, fear of loss, failure and of
the future gets in the way of optimistic outlook and motivation
to get on with business as usual. Any negative change in circumstances,
if perceived to be big enough, will bite.
It
is challenging to appreciate the pressure a colleague or staff
member feels.
Further to this, two people sharing exactly the same experience
will most certainly feel different levels of pressure and respond
quite differently.
To
experience pressure is natural,
the absence of pressure suggests the absence of growth. It is
your response that counts.
Leading
yourself and others whilst under pressure is when your ability
to influence, make decisions and communicate with others is tested.
If you deal well with pressure, you may find it challenging to
understand when others do not. However, unless you dwell in a
cave 24/7 you will not be able to avoid the perils of dealing
with the pressure that others experience.
The
experience of pressure
can be described as “A real response to a perceived adverse
stimulus”.
Ask
yourself these questions to assess the effectiveness of your response,
or your people’s response, to pressure.
As
you approach these questions, imagine the context of being under
constant pressure:
- Do
you know and do what is important?
- Are
you directed towards an outcome with realistic expectations?
- Do
you quickly grasp a situation?
- Do
you effectively manage emotion?
-
Do you feel influential and in control?
-
Are you realistically optimistic?
-
Are you open to input from others?
- Do
you illustrate empathy whilst responding appropriately?
How
far toward the positive or negative you respond to these questions
determines your level of emotional
resilience.
Given
your answers, what is your pressure point,
that is, the point that pressure tips the scales and causes a
negative reaction in you or your team?
The
whole point I am making
is that the loss of momentum caused by the adverse pressure experience
costs individuals, business and communities momentum, masses of
money, time and illness. Not to mention how dreary life at work
becomes when people are constantly in a bad mood!
Assess
your exposure to the risk of pressure on your business, and then
call me when you are ready for positive intervention.
Until
next time, be emotionally resilient and enjoy life in business!
I
look forward to connecting with you on my Blog
and on Business!
Noelene
Dawes
News:
Maxi
motivation in moments on our website and on Twitter:
Two different selections available daily. Noelene's original statements
and questions to help you deal with the day every day.
MiniMotivators
on website
and Twitter
Noelene
Dawes
on Twitter
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