Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/66838
64 • JUNE 2012 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Reducing workplace burnout continued from page 62 people laugh, the stressors become less threatening. Later, when they deal with the difficult client, they remem- ber the humorous statement they had made and it's difficult to be so serious about it." Another Granirer technique: have people try to out-complain each other. "We know that people complain a lot as a reaction to stress," says Granirer. "So put people in small groups and give them two minutes to come up with the worst complaint." They will come up with state- ments such as "Dealing with so-and- so client gave me a headache for three days." "The very act of trying to out- complain others is so ridiculous that it leads to laughter and it makes the very process of complaining into something absurd," says Granirer. "So it's hard to keep doing it." Still another approach is to en- courage people to bring humorous props to work. "Often we forget to use humor when we most need it," says Granirer. "Props such as clown masks and funny toys remind us to use humor." In one workplace, the staff would keep hiding a rubber chicken in differ- ent spots, so that people were con- stantly surprised during the work week. Bonus tip: Encourage your staff to compartmentalize each task and con- centrate on it until it is completed. When the task is over they should take a deep breath and move on. Avoid being overwhelmed by thoughts of the many tasks still to be done. Create a positive work environment "Groups of workers can create positive or negative cultures," says Dr. David C. Munz, a professor of psy- chology at Saint Louis University, St. DECORATIVE PRIVACY SLATS for chain link fencing. Introducing SlatSource®'s New Family of Slats with the Lowest Price Guarantee! EconoLink™ OptionLock® SlatSource's Standard Line of Quality Decorative Privacy Fence Slats! Louis, Mo. "When the language used by your staff is positive, affirmative thinking becomes contagious." Munz suggests encouraging posi- tive language when people communi- cate with one another. Recommend the empowering "I will . . ." rather than the passive "I should . . ." If an employee says something like "I don't have enough time to . . ." persuade him to change his goal, so that he can state "I have just enough time to . . ." Has a staff member not become computer literate? Prompt the em- ployee to say "I will learn a program by the end of this month" rather than "I am not that good at computers." Finally, influence your staff to avoid negative self-talk inside their head. Phrases such as "That won't work" and "That was stupid" need to make way for "To make this work, I will . . ." and "From this experience, I have learned to . . ." Has a staff member not become computer literate? Prompt the employee to say "I will learn a program by the end of this month" rather than "I am not that good at computers." "Thinking positively is infec- • Orders usually ship in 24 hours • Warehousing on east and west coasts • Quotes responded to within 20 minutes • Warehouse inventory includes most heights and colors for all slats DECORATIVE PRIVACY SLATS PrivacyLink 3 1/2" x 5" mesh IndustrialLink 3 1/2" x 5" mesh SlatLink 2" mesh 1-888-806-7528 • www.eprivacylink.com "pre-woven" into the chain link mesh. PrivacyMaster 2" mesh tious," says Munz. "Get people to think and talk positively about their work settings." We've all seen the variations of the humorous sign that says, "When this project is over, I'm going to have a nervous breakdown. I've earned it." While such signs introduce some welcome amusement in the workplace, they can also mean that employees are trying to communicate frustrations. Use such signs as an excuse for asking, "What can we do to reduce the stress in your job?" Just as sports fig- ures achieve new goals by visualizing and using positive self-talk, your staff can do the same. "Give them tools just as an athlete gets tools to break a home run record," says Munz. Tell them, "Around here we want you to be 100 percent at your best and be positive about your work situation. What kind of things can we do to help you keep a positive work culture?" Bonus tip: Establish a "what's good" bulletin board, where the staff posts photos and notes about the posi- tive aspects of the workplace. VinylWood 3 1/2" x 5" mesh BudgetLink 3 1/2" x 5" mesh TempGuard 3 1/2" x 5" mesh • Available in a variety of wire gauge weights and finishes, colors and heights • Pro-rata limited warranties Give people a feeling of control When individuals have a voice in 1-800-574-1076 • www.eprivacylink.com how they cope with challenging tasks, their stress levels decrease, says Hag- berg. The more experience employees Aluminum Slats HedgeLink™ BottomLock® Lite Link™ Top Lock FinLink® Feather Lock® Winged Slat ® Pre-Inserted 2000 Top Cap™ Inventory! World's Largest Slat First Time Purchase Incentive! shipping from east and west coast Now warehouses! Quotes in just 20 minutes!