Scenario:
An IT team assigned to a major project is under an amazing amount of stress. They have tenure with the company and feel a huge responsibility in seeing the project through. Recently, one of the members assigned to the team has come to human resources with major stress related issues. He/She has been to the doctor and all signs point to the stress of the project. There are many others on the team who feel the same way, and they attribute their lack of success directly to the pressure they have been feeling throughout the effort.
With job losses and other lingering effects of the recession, there is often increased pressure placed upon an organization to succeed. IT groups who work in stressful “always on” environments can receive the blunt of this anxiety. If not properly managed, this anxiety-rich environment becomes harmful to the employees, the employees’ health, and subsequently to the success of the company.
How can you effectively manage stress ridden environments for your IT organization?
Keeping stress to a minimum is an important issue to address early on- especially during times when the organization is operating lean. Increased stress correlates with decreased productivity. If left unchecked, the situation can become increasingly worse and negatively impact the quality of IT services as well as the IT organization’s impact on the success of the company. Maintaining productivity is critical to continued success.
What strategies can be employed to improve morale and reduce stress?
At an IMF connect session various IMF members shared their workplace strategies. Several key ideas included:
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Active and frequent communication with the organization. Positive and negative changes should be shared in an open forum and addressed openly.
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Involving employees in the decision-making process. Not only are employees more likely to become a champion of projects that have helped conceive, but they will also be grateful for having their opinions heard and considered.
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Recognize efforts. Simple rewards, particularly public recognition, are very effective. Organizations that take the time to understand what motivates their people can better reward them for their hard work.
What strategies have you implemented at your organization? Share with us on Twitter @ITInfoForum
As the year draws to a close and organizations continue to evaluate the effects of the past year, some attention must be placed on the evolving roles and responsibilities of the executive leaders- particularly in the IT department. This week, CIO.com featured articles dedicated to the discussion of the future-state of the CIO and the business opportunity focus for IT departments..gif)
