justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

Stress can kill you!

I have heard from time to time, from my doctor, my loved ones and the media that excess stress can be deadly. In my past life, I always thought I had my stress level under control. I recently had to revisit my assumption that stress was something that may bother someone else, but not me!

Have you ever worked in a toxic workplace, one where the environment could literally kill you due to stress? I recently have had the misfortune of having my health nearly destroyed due to working in a toxic workplace. Fortunately I got out of that environment eventually but it took many months for the impact of that unhealthy experience to pass.

You may ask, “Just what makes a workplace toxic?” I imagine there are several ways to answer that question, but for me, it begins and ends with the way one’s manager may treat you, the way he or she communicates, questions, makes implications, and most importantly to me, the way he or she literally controls the work I do – the ultimate definition of a “micro manager.” Everything must be “checked for errors or mistakes”; in spite of the fact I’ve been doing this type of work, and doing it well for over 30 years. And, I’ve also managed a larger operation than my manager was tasked with, but, for some reason, my level of competency and my accomplishments were seen as a threat, and I needed to be “controlled.”

The corporate culture can also play a critical role in how one “feels” about his or her job, and whether there’s an atmosphere of fear present. By fear, I’m referring to a statement I was told during my first week on the job, that the CEO wanted people to “fear” him as he felt they’d work harder because of it. Just prior to me joining the firm, the CEO was known to walk through the work area and note who was not at their desks by 8:30 AM, and then make a call to the managers of those not present and inquire where they might be. There was little of any emphasis on the quality and quantity of work being done, just if someone was present and accounted for.

This company was several years old, relatively profitable, and was comprised of a large number of analytical and technical personnel, in addition to those in the human side of the business. As you might have guessed, I was in the latter group and as a result, the work I did was focused on supporting the areas of effective communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, creativity and motivation – all skills crucial to the establishment and maintenance of a positive and productive workforce – and the work environment.

The one thing that helped me realize I was in the “wrong place,” was the writing of the most read business blogger, Seth Godin. One of Godin’s mantras is the challenge to do our “art:” that unique endeavor each one of us and only us is capable of contributing. In Godin’s words, "Art is a personal act of courage, something one human does that creates change in another” and “Art is a gift that changes the recipient.”

I’m now working in an environment that’s positive, successful, and my manager allows me to bring my unique pallet of skills to meet and exceed expectations – and, refreshing so that I look forward to coming to work.

The toxic past is past!