STOCKHAUSEN INK

The next time you get to your workplace, take inventory of how you feel. Be honest as you make mental notes on your perceptions when you arrive at the building. Do the same when you reach your work area. Are you excited to be there or does a big black cloud hover above your building whether the sun shines or not? When you get to your work area are you ready to jump in or do you find excuses?  

What I’m really asking you to do is take a look at your attitude toward your work from the minute you arrive until the minute you leave. If you feel fine when you enter the building, chances are it’s not the company or organization that causes you stress. If you’re excited about the tasks that await you in your work area, I’d guess you like your job just fine. 

What, then is causing your tight shoulders and stiff neck and irritable disposition? Possibly it’s your coworkers—you know, the “internal customers” or “team members” your management keeps talking about.  

If you were honest with yourself, you’d most likely agree that you get along with most of the people at work, but there is that one…   Well, what if there is? What can you do about it?            

First, realize that people are different. Many of us have taken personality preference tests that categorize us. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) is a well-known one. While I’ve only taken the test twice, once in undergraduate and once in graduate school, I was consistent in my preferences.            

For those of you who don’t know about MBTI, here’s a lay person’s synopsis. It works to help individuals determine their preference in four areas and those four areas have two possible answers. You are either introvert or extrovert, intuitive or sensing, thinking or feeling, and perceiving or judging.            

Once you know which of the two choices you are in each of the four areas, you get your distinction of being and ISTJ or ENFP or something other combination. It’s a fun and enlightening experience so I urge you to take the test if you ever get the chance.           

I bring this up because tests like these point out people’s differences. One isn’t preferable over another; just different. And that’s where coworkers can cause stress.           

Consider a sports team for a moment. Since I’m a football fan, I’ll pick a football team. The individuals who comprise the team are all different. Each brings their unique talents, ideas, and experiences to the team.            

Some get more attention than others because of the type of work they perform. Unlike other sports, only a few people handle the ball in football. The center snaps to the quarterback whose job it is to get the ball up the field toward the goal. Most people know the quarterback’s name, but few know the center’s name. Yet both handle the ball on every offensive play.

Receivers and running backs are also visible. They get applause and recognition and hisses and boos, depending on the success of their play.

Unless you’re a real fan of the team, however, you probably don’t know the names of those on the offensive or defensive lines. You may know who some defensive backs are, but only if they’ve had an interception or some other extraordinary effort.

Then there are the specialty positions like the kicker and punter. Since the focus is on each of them when they are on the field, you may also know who they are.

My point is that each person on the work team brings their individualism to the workplace. Some are more visible than others. Some are more specialized than others. Some earn more than others. All have differing interests, talents, abilities, and experiences.

We’ve all got stories about people in the workplace. Many of the stories run toward the critical side rather than the praiseworthy. We’re all guilty at some point because it’s much easier to criticize than find the positive. Besides, if we can find something wrong with others, perhaps we can justify our own shortcomings in comparison.

I’ve heard two good responses to those who come to you with their negative comments about peers. Think about these before you speak harshly about someone else. First, “And he/she speaks highly of you too,” may give you pause before you complain about a coworker. The other, “Contrary to popular belief, you too have faults,” has a powerful message as well.

Another thing you can do is try to understand what positive contributions the coworker makes. Perhaps you’ll even convince yourself that each person offers value in their own way.

Accepting others is a big step in managing stress caused by coworkers. If you try change them to be more like you or if you judge them harshly, you’ll only create more stress for yourself.

It’s also helpful to remember that you can change a situation but you cannot change another person. If you can accept that others are different and find a way to use those differences to accomplish the goal set before you, you’ll find your work less stressful.

It all begins with you and your attitude. I asked you to think about your attitude the next time you go to work. Find the good in doing your job, smile at others, take pride in your work. When you change your attitude toward the positive, others will notice. There’s even a chance they’ll stop some their negative stories about you. I know you’ll change how you talk about them.

Once you see how your coworkers fit into the team, you’ll be well on your way to reducing your work stress. I know that it works. It works for me.

Stockhausen Ink - 14314 Thrush Street NW - Anoka, MN 55303  
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