Managing pressure

We aim to help individuals and teams enhance their own tolerances of pressure and to identify where pressure may be causing them or others damage if not constructively addressed. Fundamentally, we aim to help people develop a positive response to pressure that turns their lives and work around.

We explore ways in which organisations can contribute to the pressure experienced by employees and how they can help individuals alleviate unhealthy responses. Ultimately, however, our focus is to help individuals develop their own positive responses to the pressure they face, as a life management skill.

Our programmes cover the following key areas:

Recognising excessive pressure

• Stress as a physiological phenomenon
• Signs and symptoms, in you and in others

What causes you stress?

• Role of personality and perception
• Knowing yourself
• Individual behaviours and personality styles
• Classic triggers, in you and in your environment
• Responding to change

Its implications

• To your health and well-being; to your organisation’s
• When positive stress tips over into the danger zone
• Organisations and stress
• Its cost to organisations
• Legal, health and safety aspects

Dealing with stress

(1) Self-management

• Relaxation and mindfulness
• Importance of self-awareness
• Awareness strategies
• A personal self-management approach
• Care of the body
• Understanding the “personal responsibility” model
• Knowing what pushes your buttons
• Assertion and communication styles
• Handling conflict
• Attitude and self-esteem
• Taking control of your life
• Clear goals
• Life balance
• Time management and work pressure

(2) Management style and approaches

• Awareness of good management practice
• Different styles for different situations
• Recognising stress in others
• Interviewing people who are experiencing stress
• Individual needs in the workplace that can be met by changes initiated by managers
• Support network