Controlling Stress in the Workplace -
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Book Review
Published by: Pfeiffer & Company, San Diego, CA 1993
Stress seems almost as popular a subject for authors as romance. They have written about it from every perspective imaginable--from stress and the auditor to stress and the zoologist. But with good cause. Who among us has never experienced anxiety caused by the stress of a rapidly approaching deadline for an important project? Such anxiety is common-place and easily recognized. Less recognizable, and thus more difficult to overcome, are stress-related factors, such as your own unrealistic expectations or lack of recognition, that detract from your ability to perform a job or complete a job to your satisfaction.
In Controlling Stress In The Workplace, Dr. Gatto points out that stress is evident in every aspect of our lives. The author has a master's degree in counseling psychology, with an emphasis on industrial and organizational psychology, and a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh in neuropsychology. A nationally certified counselor and founder of Gatto Training Associates, Pittsburgh, PA, he writes training programs for the workplace and lectures about how organizations can help people work together effectively by lessening stress in their lives. He notes that stress is a component of anger and violence in the workplace.
Controlling Stress In The Workplace uses an interactive approach to dealing with issues of stress. It starts with what the author calls stress inventories--one to identify general stress and the other to identify specific elements of your work life that are stressful. Readers are asked to write their answers to a series of questions, plus brief explanations of their answers. Questions include: "Do you generally: get frustrated with minor problems? ' Run yellow lights while driving? Avoid expressing your thoughts when something has upset you? Feel frustrated by changes in the workplace? Feel that your job responsibilities are not challenging?" These and future inventories, each followed by informative, easy-to-read discussions of stress and how to handle it effectively, are backed up by pertinent references to well known authorities on behavior.
Dr. Gatto points out that not all stress is harmful. Stress that energizes and inspires is termed "eustress", as opposed to the "distress" that can lead to poor physical and /or emotional health. The subtitle of the book is " How You Handle What Happens," and Dr. Gatto offers a number of suggestions to help you handle stress on the job. For example, he recommends spending five to 10 minutes at the start of each day writing a plan of action and establishing priorities as you focus on fulfilling responsibilities. He also offers relaxation techniques, including deep breathing and visualization of a peaceful place you'd like to be. Another relaxation technique the author suggests, particularly useful when you're anxious about giving a presentation and your hands are cold or trembling, is to rub your hands and wrists under very warm water.
In relation to motivation and self-actualization, he says: "Most people do not give themselves enough credit for jobs done well; however, they anguish over complaints or problems that are minor or very infrequent.... It is essential to identify and to focus your energies on accomplishments."
Dr. Gatto says that to lessen stress and move toward the self-development of your potential, you should identify your expectations and roadblocks. Forget the "could ofs" and the "should ofs". Choose a direction from where you are and focus your energies." By trusting yourself to take action you will find a better quality of life," he says. He emphasizes that writing about the sources of your stress, as in the exercises in the book, can help you confront yourself and identify what will motivate you toward change.
The Smart Manager's FAQ Guide - Buy Now
Book Review
A First-Rate Briefing on Management Basics, June 26, 2001
Reviewer: Robert Morris from Dallas, Texas
All managers can learn at least something of value from this book. It is well-written, carefully organized, and provides a wealth of useful information. The advice is sound, apparently based on extensive real-world experience. I think this is a book which will be most valuable to those who are about to begin or have only recently begun a business career. It covers all of the basics. It is not for "dummies" nor for "idiots" because, first, they won't understand it and, two, because they will be unable to make effective use of whatever they do understand. I strongly encourage supervisors to purchase copies of this book for all who report to them. Or at least for the fast-trackers. Gatto refers to his book as a "toolbox" and that is accurate. Less-experienced employees with ambitions to become managers should review the Contents and then focus on whichever subject is most immediately relevant. Then cherry-pick and implement those ideas, suggestions, strategies, and tactics which are most appropriate. To them I also suggest a periodic review of the Contents. This is a time when change is the only constant. People change. Their needs and interests change.
Their circumstances change. This book's subtitle suggests that this is a "survival handbook for today's workplace." For some, perhaps. For most, certainly, a practical briefing on management basics. Well-done, Dr. Gatto.
Book Review
Published by: Pfeiffer & Company, San Diego, CA 1993
Stress seems almost as popular a subject for authors as romance. They have written about it from every perspective imaginable--from stress and the auditor to stress and the zoologist. But with good cause. Who among us has never experienced anxiety caused by the stress of a rapidly approaching deadline for an important project? Such anxiety is common-place and easily recognized. Less recognizable, and thus more difficult to overcome, are stress-related factors, such as your own unrealistic expectations or lack of recognition, that detract from your ability to perform a job or complete a job to your satisfaction.
In Controlling Stress In The Workplace, Dr. Gatto points out that stress is evident in every aspect of our lives. The author has a master's degree in counseling psychology, with an emphasis on industrial and organizational psychology, and a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh in neuropsychology. A nationally certified counselor and founder of Gatto Training Associates, Pittsburgh, PA, he writes training programs for the workplace and lectures about how organizations can help people work together effectively by lessening stress in their lives. He notes that stress is a component of anger and violence in the workplace.
Controlling Stress In The Workplace uses an interactive approach to dealing with issues of stress. It starts with what the author calls stress inventories--one to identify general stress and the other to identify specific elements of your work life that are stressful. Readers are asked to write their answers to a series of questions, plus brief explanations of their answers. Questions include: "Do you generally: get frustrated with minor problems? ' Run yellow lights while driving? Avoid expressing your thoughts when something has upset you? Feel frustrated by changes in the workplace? Feel that your job responsibilities are not challenging?" These and future inventories, each followed by informative, easy-to-read discussions of stress and how to handle it effectively, are backed up by pertinent references to well known authorities on behavior.
Dr. Gatto points out that not all stress is harmful. Stress that energizes and inspires is termed "eustress", as opposed to the "distress" that can lead to poor physical and /or emotional health. The subtitle of the book is " How You Handle What Happens," and Dr. Gatto offers a number of suggestions to help you handle stress on the job. For example, he recommends spending five to 10 minutes at the start of each day writing a plan of action and establishing priorities as you focus on fulfilling responsibilities. He also offers relaxation techniques, including deep breathing and visualization of a peaceful place you'd like to be. Another relaxation technique the author suggests, particularly useful when you're anxious about giving a presentation and your hands are cold or trembling, is to rub your hands and wrists under very warm water.
In relation to motivation and self-actualization, he says: "Most people do not give themselves enough credit for jobs done well; however, they anguish over complaints or problems that are minor or very infrequent.... It is essential to identify and to focus your energies on accomplishments."
Dr. Gatto says that to lessen stress and move toward the self-development of your potential, you should identify your expectations and roadblocks. Forget the "could ofs" and the "should ofs". Choose a direction from where you are and focus your energies." By trusting yourself to take action you will find a better quality of life," he says. He emphasizes that writing about the sources of your stress, as in the exercises in the book, can help you confront yourself and identify what will motivate you toward change.
The Smart Manager's FAQ Guide - Buy Now
Book Review
A First-Rate Briefing on Management Basics, June 26, 2001
Reviewer: Robert Morris from Dallas, Texas
All managers can learn at least something of value from this book. It is well-written, carefully organized, and provides a wealth of useful information. The advice is sound, apparently based on extensive real-world experience. I think this is a book which will be most valuable to those who are about to begin or have only recently begun a business career. It covers all of the basics. It is not for "dummies" nor for "idiots" because, first, they won't understand it and, two, because they will be unable to make effective use of whatever they do understand. I strongly encourage supervisors to purchase copies of this book for all who report to them. Or at least for the fast-trackers. Gatto refers to his book as a "toolbox" and that is accurate. Less-experienced employees with ambitions to become managers should review the Contents and then focus on whichever subject is most immediately relevant. Then cherry-pick and implement those ideas, suggestions, strategies, and tactics which are most appropriate. To them I also suggest a periodic review of the Contents. This is a time when change is the only constant. People change. Their needs and interests change.
Their circumstances change. This book's subtitle suggests that this is a "survival handbook for today's workplace." For some, perhaps. For most, certainly, a practical briefing on management basics. Well-done, Dr. Gatto.
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