Managers Alert! Is your team emotionally healthy?

Over the last couple of weeks, #socialmedia has been rife with videos of raised employee voices as they call out injustices they face in their workplaces. Stress often manifests in the form of loud voices or other 'extreme' behaviour, which makes for videos that get posted on social media, eliciting a slew of comments and conversation.

There is, however, a more chronic form of #stressatwork where an employee faces everyday?situations that are unpleasant. These ongoing situations?could be in the form of being constantly berated by a manager, talked down to or even just being sidelined. In my avatar as a #CommunicationsConsultant , I have come across clients who are incessantly and needlessly caustic, usually with a slew of unachievable requests, leading?to a dread of these interactions.

Recently, a client came to me with a situation that had left her shaken. Her manager, with whom she had a great rapport, had begun to tell her repeatedly that he did not trust her. Over time, it resulted in turning a job she loved into a situation that was abhorrent – a sadness akin to depression descended upon her. Coupled with self-doubt and sleepless nights, she could not bear to go into the office, her work suffered and she eventually ended up resigning. She found herself in need of counseling to help her through the emotional trauma she faced.

While the #physiologicalimpact of these situations could be a racing heart, trembling hands, or even incessant sweating, the #emotionaleffects often go unnoticed. Is a member of your team losing weight, constantly uninterested, or looking like he does not sleep well? Is his work suffering or does he take a lot of time off? Is his personality different from what it used to be?

As a manager, these signs should set your alarm bells ringing. What could you do for your team member at a time like this? This could be a good time to sit down with the person to understand what's going on. Here are some things that could help:

1.????Be supportive – in word and deed.

2.????Be sensitive – do not be dismissive of the person’s needs, however basic.

3.????Assure the person of confidentiality.

4.????Help the person seek professional support, if required.

Don't wait for a situation to surface to show that you care. Create an environment for your team that makes two-way communication possible. Offer #training to build #awareness of mental health and associated issues, and create the ability to identify, #acknowledge and support when required.

Finally, take some time to understand your management style – and view it from the perspective of your team. Realistic requirements and timelines usually go a long way in creating an environment that is conducive to growth. At the end of the day, that’s what we all want – both for business and for ourselves. When in doubt rely on the old adage: treat members of your team the way you would want to be treated yourself. ?

#emotionalwellbeing #mentalhealth #teamsupport

The Able Mind Thrive Cafe Rohini Kesavan Rajeev Soumya Rao