Barbara my team is not OK. We’re supposed to be back to “normal” but we’re not. What do I do? Read on for a summary, or download the full article
What Is Going On?
The American Psychological Association (APA) conducts an annual Stress in America survey. The 2023 survey results are sobering. People are suffering:
- 66 % have stress-related chronic health conditions
- 62% don’t share because they don’t want to be a burden
- 61% said they are expected to “just get over it”
- 37% have a mental health diagnosis
Why Are People Still Struggling?
The short answer is mental habits. In summary, the neuroscience research shows:
- Our thinking habits physically change brain structures
- Chronic negative thinking creates a hardwired loop of negative emotions and behaviors
Neurologists found that a brain habituated to upset reactions has a lower tolerance for everyday irritations. Essentially, people train their brains to perpetuate a cycle of negative emotions. For more detail download the full article
What About Us?
Start with yourself. Notice your negativity. Ask yourself the following questions:
- When I encounter a challenge, what do I say to myself?
- How much do I critique myself, others, and circumstances?
Then, turn your attention to your team.
- What’s the percentage of positive comments?
- How much talk is about irritations or difficulties?
- What’s the atmosphere across the office?
What Now?
Stop the Poison
Many people aren’t aware of their negativity. The first step is to uncover your mental habits. After noticing any negative mind chatter, ask yourself: Is this perspective helping or hurting me?
Shift Thinking
Craft a perspective that points to a positive. The negative mindset will keep repeating, as old habits die hard. It will take persistence. But consistently firing positive neural pathways will rewire your brain.
Leaders First
Emotional contagion is a real thing. Negative emotions set up a chain reaction across the team. The first step in shifting the team is to attend to leader attitudes. Practicing positive mindset techniques is the first priority for leaders. It’ll deliver immediate personal and team benefits.
Acknowledge Challenges
Adam Grant recently wrote about the downside of over-optimism. Although well-intentioned, unrealistic optimism is a form of gaslighting. Not surprisingly, this backfires badly. Instead, acknowledge any challenges.
Solve with Head & Heart
Moving forward positively requires a balanced approach. Shifting too quickly will negate the empathy. Good leaders don’t leave acknowledgement behind when searching for solutions. They do both at the same time.
Schedule a Call
These are proven techniques, but change takes skilled practice. Contact me to schedule a call. I can provide powerful tools for immediate relief, with or without coaching.
