Working in a management position and taking responsibility for the performance of your team is guaranteed to result in a measure of work based anxiety. Many managers relish the adrenaline their anxiety stimulates because it keeps them on their toes. However the level of anxiety that makes us flourish and that which makes us flounder differs from person to person. Some people thrive in a highly competitive cut and thrust environment, or come alive when sailing close to the wind. However, when anxiety causes distress it can have a negative effect on health and well-being and lead to dysfunctional behaviour.
When managers’ anxiety gets out of their control, it leads to negativity which in turn affects their moods and communication skills. As a result the impact on the team will be a downturn in the motivation and productivity of their teams. An essential personal development area, in which all managers need to gain a high level of competence, is the development of strategies to effectively manage their anxiety.
Workplace coaching
In many large companies coaching programmes are well established and have proven to be beneficial by supporting the work of managers at all levels of the organisation. In small businesses such as dental practices, this type of support is sadly often not understood or available. So what is coaching, why should you look for it and where could you find it?
It is best to begin by saying what coaching is not. It’s not counselling or training, it does not focus on problems. The objective of workplace coaching is to boost self-confidence and communication skills leading to consistent management through a commitment to continuous personal and professional growth, mutual respect and trust. Working with a coach you will analyse your management strengths and weaknesses and set goals for your development by building on your strengths and addressing areas of weakness. The role of the coach is to offer guidance and encouragement when needed. If the organisation in which you work is not able to offer a senior colleague as a coach there are some excellent external coaching programmes available, in many cases your professional organisation will know people they can recommend.
Triggers
If you are aware that certain situations or people trigger your anxiety and lead you to respond in ways which prove unproductive, you need examine cause and effect to develop coping strategies. When extreme anxiety is linked to feelings of not being able to cope, this may well be caused by past failures to achieve an acceptable outcome under the same circumstances in the past. The feelings we experience when feeling unable to cope in a given situation is called stress.
Stress brings with it a range of unwanted physical and emotional symptoms. On the other hand in situations that create a level of anxiety and at the same time we know we have the skills and resources to succeed and we feel positive that we can secure the results we need, then anxiety becomes pressure and makes us feel energised and positive. The skill is the ability to convert stress into pressure by maintaining a positive mental attitude, built upon recognition of where additional skills will improve performance and where self belief will alter perception of the situation and your contribution to it. The ideal person to promote this type of thinking is a good coach.
Look after yourself
Many people driven to succeed have a problem knowing where to draw the line between work, rest and play. Some workaholics think they thrive on long hours, little sleep and a poor diet of food eaten at their desk while working. Nourishing your body and mind with a wholesome balanced lifestyle is conducive to success. Fact is, if you fail to maintain a sense of proportion in all things your responses to many situations will be out of proportion and ultimately unhelpful. The better you look after yourself the more able you will be to look after others.
It is important to remember that anxiety is often the cause of poor management behaviour and decisions. Managers need to be sufficiently self-aware to understand what triggers their negative reactions, so they can find strategies to override emotional, knee jerk reactions with considered cognitive responses, designed to maintain a structured and equitable workplace.
Glenys Bridges can be contacted on 0121 241 6693, email glenys@dental-resource.com or see www.dental-resource.com