Leadershipbydesign
News From LBD

April 2012 Volume 4 Issue 4
Five ways to Reduce Employee Stress and Maximize Performance. 

 

1. Provide an attractive and comfortable work environment whenever possible. Pleasant surroundings can do more for a person's attitude than we often realize. Create a less formal atmosphere by adding plants or improved decorations. It will even help if it is just in the restroom.
 

2. Supply a quiet employee break room. Not the canteen or games room, this room should be separate from the normal "hustle and bustle" of the workplace. It will give your employees an opportunity for a quick 10 minute break from work and any work related stress that they may be experiencing.
 

3. Instead of giving orders 100% of the time, try to create opportunities for employees to make decisions that will directly affect their job performance. This gives them a sense of personal power and less stress because they feel they have some control.
 

4. Thank your employees for work accomplished

and recognize them for exemplary performance. A quick thank you will go a long way in reducing complaints and stress. Be genuine and only thank workers when they have worked well; otherwise you will be rewarding sub-standard activities.
 

5. Always choose ergonomically sound equipment, tools, and furniture. These will make work easier for your staff, reduce workplace injuries, and therefore limit compensation claims. In addition, workplace stress will be reduced and staff, equipped with the correct tools, will be more productive.
 

 

What Leaders are Reading
  

The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz --  

 

    The authors, founders of and executives at LGE Performance Systems, an executive training program based on athletic coaching programs, offer a program aimed at stressed individuals who want to find more purpose in their work and ways to better handle their overburdened relationships. Just as athletes train, play and then recover, people need to recognize their own energy levels. "Balancing stress and recovery is critical not just in competitive sports, but also in managing energy in all facets of our lives."

 

 

 
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Leadership Tip of The Month  

 

Keep Your Employees Happy!

 

If you would like your business to employ highly motivated and

high-energy level employees, then investing in the workplace atmosphere and facilities will help reduce work-place stress significantly.

 

Research confirms that if your employees are stressed and unhappy it will cost you even more money in missed workdays and increased on-the-job injuries.

 

In addition to the negative repercussions of having stressed employees, your business may be experiencing lower productivity. Cost effective strategies could minimize stress on the

job and provide your employees with opportunities to reduce other stress related problems. 

 

 Example: Go out of your way to create opportunities for the employees to meet, socialize, and build relationships away from work. Set up a bowling team where you gather and play once a week or maybe a softball team, or even a book club for employees only.

 

When staff realize you have their interests in mind, that  you are doing all you can to improve working conditions, they will respond and you will see an improved atmosphere with increased productivity.

  

For additional information contact LBD.
John Branstad
John Branstad

Quote of the Month

"The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual."
         Vince Lombardi
John Branstad
www.leadershipbydesign.org
763-213-5267