Interaction Conflicts: How to Find Stress Relief
If I interact only with paper, I have little stress. The paper waits for me. It responds as I want it to, when I want it to. If I’m wrong it doesn’t say a word. Sometimes I might wish it would. Still it never interrupts.
Add a person to that mix. People add ideas and excitement. People also add stress. They don’t behave as we might have them, which means we have to adjust our thinking to fit what they do.
Add one person to a project. The need to communicate rises exponentially. Now what I thought needs to be said or written. Sometimes it needs to be explained. That communication takes time and energy. It also takes willingness.
Even in the best relationships, sometimes people don’t feel up to explaining how they think, how they came to a conclusion, why an action is necessary, or how or why they did something. Yet for a project to work with rhythmic synchopation seamless communication is part of the unspoken contract.
That constant need to communicate causes stress.
It’s even worse when the message needing to be said isn’t one that we want to deliver.
How to Find Stress Relief
The best way to alleviate that stress is to breathe. Go outside of the office to get perspective — look at the sky and trees. It’s hard to feel stressed and sorry for ourselves — like we’re the center of the universe — when we see things that weren’t made by people. Breathe again. Then go back in and communicate with grace and humanity.
Behind every Successful business is an Outstanding Manager. –Perfect Virtual Manager
Liz Strauss