Turn of Tides

Synopsis:

Issue: Some of the major issues which the case deals with are listed below:

1. How can strategies be applied to cope with stress effectively?

2. Are psychological prescriptions more effective to inhibit problems?
3. How is shifting the focus from one’s problem to other things effective to
eliminate stressors?
4. How can surrounding oneself with wonderful past experiences help to soothe our
present worry?
5. Is expectation of rewards from a job a cause of stress?
6. Does shifting our motives from self to service help reduce our stress?

Case Facts:
1. The effect of stress on narrators work was worrisome so he went to a doctor to get
help.
2. The doctor provided him with strategies to cope with stress.
3. The first prescription was to think of things other than problems or stressors so as
to calm one’s mind.
4. The second was to surround oneself with beautiful past memories in order to
reduce the tension present problems were causing.
5. The third prescription was to appraise one’s intention of doing a job so that
meaningful motives could be related with that job.
6. Finally, after applying all these strategies, the narrator was able to move back to
normalcy. He was motivated and calm minded.

Concepts, Theories, Applicable Framework:

1. Sources of stress: Situational and Anticipatory stressors
2. Strategies to manage stress: Enactive and Proactive
 3. Resiliency
4. Stress and strain
5. Goal setting

Analysis
The narrator is weighed down by situational and anticipatory stressors. He wants to be
successful, wants to be recognized and wants more security in life. He is focused on
result rather than job performance; his fear of future and anticipation of unpleasant events
are dragging him to stress. The doctor is helping him to restore equilibrium by building
sufficient resiliency. The psychological, physiological and social resiliencies are the
restraining forces that inhibit the negative effects of stress.

Listening carefully and reaching back to the past actually helped the narrator to meditate
and shift the focus from problem to broader and beautiful things. This inspired the
narrator to set a positive outlook and build a positive self regard and increase self esteem.
This technique helped to develop psychological resiliency. It also aided the narrator to
relax physically and gain a calm mind. Directing his motives from self to service
reconciled the effects of stress to some extent. Besides, sharing his frustration and
applying the suggestion of the doctor developed supportive social relationship. Thus,
social resiliency encouraged narrator to cope effectively with stress and move on with
positive spirit.

The hierarchy of strategies has been applied to the narrator. Under enactive strategy, the
final prescription has motivated him to forget all his stress and create a new environment
that does not contain stressors. Similarly, narrator is willing to initiate action to handle
stress by increasing his personal resiliency that includes uplifting his positive self regard,
core self evaluation and good cognitive abilities. This is proactive strategy.

Implication:
In an organization, due to fierce competition and compulsion to prove oneself worthy,
nowadays employees experience high level of stress. Employees fear of future and
anticipate unpleasant events. The potentiality of employees is lowered down by
situational and anticipatory stressors. In such a case, reexamination of ones motive and
commitment to serving others before serving self help them to balance various aspect of
life. Similarly, building resiliency is necessary to restore equilibrium and inhibit the
negative effects of stress. The psychological, physiological and social resiliencies are the
restraining forces that employees can develop.

The development of employees’ positive self regard, core self evaluation and good
cognitive abilities helps to build confidence and motivate them to forget all the stress and
create a new environment that does not contain stressors. Shifting the focus from one’s
problem to beautiful things can inspire the employees to relax physically and gain a calm
mind. Directing their motives from self to service also reconciles the effects of stress.
Besides the sharing of their frustration and receiving the suggestion of the consultant,
peer or some senior at work can develop supportive social relationship. Consequently,
social resiliency encourages employees to excel at work with positive spirit.

Instead of setting larger goals, establishing short term plans motivates employees to focus
of their performance instead of worrying about the future. Achieving immediate goals
encourage them not to anticipate unpleasant results which reduce stress level
considerably. Another factor fueling stress is the perspective of employees. If they think
stress is created internally, they seek solution within themselves. But if they believe stress
is caused by outer factor like assignment of work by authority then solving becomes quite
difficult and this has be dealt in different way.

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