Stressing Out
Aug 12, 2015
“Our bodies react to stress in exactly the same way whether or not we have a good reason for being stressed. The body doesn’t care if we’re right or wrong. Even in those times when we feel perfectly justified in getting angry, when we tell ourselves it’s the healthy response, we pay for it just the same.”
Doc Childre & Howard Martin, The HeartMath Solution
People respond to stress in different ways.
The most obvious response is someone who becomes loud, angry and attention seeking, or even displays ‘drama queen’ behaviour. Some people under stress may argue about facts, figures and data at the expense of someone’s feelings. Others may become particularly sensitive to what is said and to your tone of voice. They might misinterpret a loud or rushed voice as angry.Some people will withdraw, either physically or emotionally. If you ask what is wrong, particularly if you do not have rapport with them, their response may be a terse “Nothing!” or “I’m fine!”
As a manager, parent, coach or partner, consider the stress responses of the people in your ‘team’.
Learn to recognise these responses, and when you see them, take a moment to speak to that person privately. From a place of rapport and clear intent, check in with them if there is anything you can do to support them. Perhaps they need a listening ear, a pat on the back or even the space to get their work completed in private. When we have support and encouragement, we are then motivated to work harder, lifting the performance of our entire team, and making it a happier place to be.
Have a great week
Carol
Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club Leadership Camp
A report by Heath Armstrong and Brydie Murrihy
Leadership Camp Coordinators
“On the 17th to the 19th of July, 14 young adults of the club participated in the first Lorne Leadership Camp. The main aim of the camp was to engage and empower the youth of the surf club through meaningful leadership development sessions and activities.
The camp was full of highlights and showed promising leaders for the future. Initially, the camp began with a welcome video message from Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott about his perception of the meaning of leadership and it’s importance. The participants were delighted and it was a motivating start to the camp.
The next morning the participants underwent a professional leadership development session run by none other than our own Merchandise Officer, Carol Fox. Carol is a trainer and facilitator at her company Carol Fox and Co, as well as a successfully published author with her book, “Be A Confident Communicator.”
Carol’s session with the participants was a donation to the camp, and a majority of the participants highlighting in the camp feedback that her time with them was their favourite session. This was due to Carol’s entertaining workshop facilitation and in depth experience about the road to leadership success. One of the participants on the camp, Sean Smyth, expressed that, “Carol had amazing insight into what a leader is all about, and the little things that we could do to better ourselves”.
“We can’t thank Carol enough for her help with the camp and for once again donating her time and resources. In addition to the session she ran, she also gave the generous donation in providing a copy of her book for all of the participants free of charge.”