How can you recognize strain?
Do your employees show outward signs when they are stressed? What is different then? Signs of stress always appear on several levels of reaction. You will probably know this from yourself.
- Body
e.g., sweating, flushed head, paleness, trembling, nervousness, clammy hands, trembling voice, stooped posture - Psyche (emotions and thoughts)
e.g., difficulty concentrating, panic thoughts, helplessness, bad mood, thin-skinned, weeping, bad memory, rage, anxiety, anger, feelings of powerlessness - Behavior (including performance and social behavior)
e.g., not eating anything, or only fast food, feeling hectic, being absent more frequently, withdrawing, consuming more coffee, more cigarettes, unkempt appearance, getting loud, working through breaks, making more mistakes, banging doors
What is important here: You will never seek a conversation with an employee because of one distinct signal – but rather when you notice an overall change. This requires that you have previously paid attention and can assess the individual.