New research has discovered a range of behaviours that bosses can use to prevent and reduce stress among their team members.
Although the research has identified 19 key ‘stress management behaviours’ it’s so new that the relative importance of each has yet to be determined.
Key behaviours include: managing workload and resources, having a friendly style, good communication, being accessible, taking responsibility, managing conflict and the ability to seek advice when needed.
The research has been carried out by Emma Donaldson-Feilder of Affinity Health at Work, and colleagues from Goldsmiths, University of London and City University. It was presented at the British Psychological Society’s occupational psychology conference.
The research project involved interviews with nearly 400 employees, managers and focus groups with over 50 HR professionals, where participants were asked for their views on what manager behaviours are important for preventing and reducing stress at work.
One Response
Leadership Skills
Hi
I was interested to hear that this work has been carried out by Affinity Health at Work and Goldsmiths and, as a professional stress management specialist and with 20 years high level corporate experience, I couldn’t agree more with the report’s suggestions.
However, I was at a meeting today, with a leading UK psychologist who has recently also been involved in a research project on leadership skills. The results showed that the actual performance of managers in the UK (as viewed by their employees) did not generally stand up to the standards recommended by the Goldsmiths team – and that’s putting it mildly.
From memory, I believe that, when asked what leadership skills they would like to see from their managers, 25% responded they’d like to see any management skills at all!
Now I know the argument is all a bit one-sided, but the results would seem to indicate a distinct lack of the kinds of skills identified in the Goldsmiths research as necessary to prevent and reduce stress amongst their team members. I’m also certain that the managers who were being criticised in the research programme I refer to, would have something to say about their employees’ attitudes too!
In my view, whilst I believe research is valuable, the kind of qualities which are being suggested here, simply make common sense and perhaps the best way of researching it, is to try it out!
At the end of the day though, surely it’s more than just about how managers or employees behave – it’s about how people work as a team and about treating each other as the human beings we are. Showing a little respect, whatever position you are in within an organisation is much more likely to work in a positive working environment and therefore less stress.
Best wishes
Annie Lawler
Breathing Space for Business