Some level of stress is good for work but too much of it is harmful

What you need to know:

  • It is the stress that awakens you to what must be done. This might be a deadline that must be met, or   the acceptable standards for a particular task.
  • You could also fuel the stress by your own negative thoughts and sense of inadequacy in what you are doing, choosing only to see your limitations and not your strengths.

The most common complaint in every workplace is about stress.

As a manager this can be a cause for worry. It is important for managers to be aware of the types and levels of stress among the people they lead.

Different forms of stress have different effects on people. Experts tell us of at least four kinds of stress. They talk of hypo stress, eustress, distress, or hyper stress.

Some level of stress is always necessary for work and good results. This is what experts call eustress. It is the stress that awakens you to what must be done. This might be a deadline that must be met, or   the acceptable standards for a particular task. If you do not have eustress, you are likely to take a lackadaisical attitude towards important assignments and tasks. Eustress is therefore good stress. It assists individuals to achieve optimum performance.

Like most things in life, different people handle stress differently. Accordingly, even eustress will receive different reactions from different people.

What is important is to understand that this form of stress is necessary for good results. When you have that understanding you will not panic the moment you hear the word “stress.” For, you know that good results hardly ever come in an environment devoid of stress.

UNABLE TO THRIVE

 Different environments have different levels of eustress. The critical thing is individual adjustment for self-built stability. It is also important for you to know yourself relative to your capacity to handle stress. Some people cannot thrive in some environments without being easily overwhelmed. Other people would not find any satisfaction if they were not working under some pressure.

 The other types of stress have negative consequences. Hypo stress is a very low level of stress. This form of stress may lead to complacency, or to disturbed quietness. This may occur due to a mismatch in job qualification and job placement.

As a manager you will have to consider whether it helps anybody to retain the individual who has too much time, and can only be a disruption to the other employees. It could lead to a situation where it matters little that a certain undertaking is done or not. This is common where people find it necessary to preoccupy themselves by doing things that are not related to work.

When you have little to or almost no work to do, you get disturbed even when your paycheck comes promptly at the end of the month.

Hyper stress is when a person feels completely overwhelmed. You see no end or hope in what is causing you stress. This can be, for example, when you are working with difficult people whom you have not learnt to handle appropriately. It can also arise when you engage in new responsibilities and tasks.

NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

You could also fuel the stress by your own negative thoughts and sense of inadequacy in what you are doing, choosing only to see your limitations and not your strengths. This can lead to a disruption in the flow of life, at times ending in inertia. This stress may become a hindrance to effective performance of given tasks. It could also be manifested in individuals with low stress tolerance levels.

Hyper stress needs professional intervention because it is dangerous and could lead to other bigger problems. It calls for the attention of the manager. People with low stress tolerance are as dangerous as people with hypo stress.

Mentally ill

When you get distressed you cease feeling overwhelmed, you actually become overwhelmed. This is when you have lost it. This is where you are likely to get mentally ill. You must avoid this at all costs.

You must never get into this stress level. If you are not suited for the environment, get out and look for your space elsewhere. The world is big enough for everyone.

Dr Muturi is the executive director, Kenya Institute of Management.