11 answers
Naupaka
Student
Honolulu, Hawaii
1
Question
Updated
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what makes your job stressful?
Im in job corps and i would like to know more about your job. #job-search #job #any
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11 answers
Katya Lev
Financial center manager
117
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Katya’s Answer
Hi Naupaka, when I think of what makes my job stressful- I will reply to you incorporating my entire experience as a Leader/Manager in retail environment.
in the past- it’s never the tasks that you need to complete because when you Are in leadership role you expect to multi task, to work under pressure, to fill in last minutes call outs, to lead and coach, manage budget.
What I found most is stressful is managing people/teams-especially those associates that don’t have the will nor the interest in being great in their roles and being part of a team and be supportive. For example, I had associates that simple a not happy with management change or they have their own way of how they want to run their day and not complying with the company standards and expectations. Those associates need to be coached, observed, as a leader you need to provide feedback - this is very drainful because these activities must take place as per the HR performance management expectations and the associate is still not willing to change behaviors.
So, of course there are steps around managing a poor performance must be taken and sometimes the associate change their behaviors if you get their buy in and if not-they need to be managed closely to their competencies and sales metrics and next steps up to including termination,
This is not by far the best part of leading trams but it does occur in the leader role.
Best regards
in the past- it’s never the tasks that you need to complete because when you Are in leadership role you expect to multi task, to work under pressure, to fill in last minutes call outs, to lead and coach, manage budget.
What I found most is stressful is managing people/teams-especially those associates that don’t have the will nor the interest in being great in their roles and being part of a team and be supportive. For example, I had associates that simple a not happy with management change or they have their own way of how they want to run their day and not complying with the company standards and expectations. Those associates need to be coached, observed, as a leader you need to provide feedback - this is very drainful because these activities must take place as per the HR performance management expectations and the associate is still not willing to change behaviors.
So, of course there are steps around managing a poor performance must be taken and sometimes the associate change their behaviors if you get their buy in and if not-they need to be managed closely to their competencies and sales metrics and next steps up to including termination,
This is not by far the best part of leading trams but it does occur in the leader role.
Best regards
Shelby Steuber
Teacher
66
Answers
LaBelle, Florida
Updated
Shelby’s Answer
As a person going in to education, there are two main sources of stress in my job. First of all being not appropriately compensated for my work. I believe teachers do a lot, and as a secondary mathematics teacher, I have a lot to teach my students. If I go into a public school, I can have upwards of 30 students in one class. However, starting salary is somewhere between 35K-45K annually. This job is tough, and not just anyone can do it effectively. Therefore, it feels disheartening not being able to earn a proper wage from teaching, especially for those teachers who love their jobs!
Another stress is when representatives make decisions for teachers when they have never even been in the classroom. Education should include the voices and input of teachers. When politicians and school boards make all of the rules, curriculum, standards, etc. for teachers, who are already under a lot of pressure as is, then it becomes hard for educators to feel in control of anything that goes on in their classroom. Those are my personal beliefs. I do have a few more grievances on the matter, but those stick out the most!
Another stress is when representatives make decisions for teachers when they have never even been in the classroom. Education should include the voices and input of teachers. When politicians and school boards make all of the rules, curriculum, standards, etc. for teachers, who are already under a lot of pressure as is, then it becomes hard for educators to feel in control of anything that goes on in their classroom. Those are my personal beliefs. I do have a few more grievances on the matter, but those stick out the most!
Keith Hoover
Service Executive
1
Answer
Birmingham, Alabama
Updated
Keith’s Answer
In a customer support role "stress" comes from a general lack of communication and setting expectations. Todays environment is one where people demand answers immediately. When the proper expectations are not communicated the common response is why. Why cannot you not give me the answer now? Why do I have to wait for shipment? Why was that issue not already cleared? The list goes on and on.
To combat "stress" I work hard to over communicate to the person an accurate status. Many times its not the answer they want, but if you are accurate and keep your commitments to communicate, the other person will adopt a much friendlier tone in their responses. Thus reducing your stress and theirs.
Thank you,
Keith
To combat "stress" I work hard to over communicate to the person an accurate status. Many times its not the answer they want, but if you are accurate and keep your commitments to communicate, the other person will adopt a much friendlier tone in their responses. Thus reducing your stress and theirs.
Thank you,
Keith
Amy Rutstein
Real Estate Management
5
Answers
Richardson, Texas
Updated
Amy’s Answer
My job becomes stressful when I don't prioritize my day or delegate up (to my boss), over (to my peers), or down (to my employees). My 'job' is never completed; each day provides for new opportunities to start something new, continue with prior, or complete projects/work. When I prioritize my day based on the needs of that day and who is asking for what, I can reduce the stress. I also know that I give 100% of myself while at work and if the job I did was not good enough, then I was not the right person for that job. When I think about work in this manner, it helps me reduce my stresses.
Katya Lev
Financial center manager
117
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Katya’s Answer
Hi Naupaka, your job could become stressful due to so many reasons . I find it more stressful when I am not 100% confident executing my basic duties. This usually happens when you first come on board and you are still learning on the job. This is a normal stress and is expected. So I like to always be ahead and learn as much as I can by observing, by asking questions, by actually doing the task because I learn it faster once I’m facing the client. Hopefully, this is a controllable stress and you are in charge of how fast you will learn your responsibilities.
Second, stress could be caused because of you Leadership. Your Manager could be someone who is not to go to person and expects you to find all answers on your own by using resources as well as asking your peers. This potentially could be very stressful,but on the positive not-e this is also another fast way for you to learn. I recommend, find yourself a mentor or a peer who is willing to support you daily.
Third stress could be related because you might not feel that you are part of the team, your ideas might be getting shut down because you are new, some co workers feel that you are trying to show off-but don’t worry-you are on your own career path and this should not stop you as others might not want to grow within the company or haven’t performed and now you are putting stress into them. Continue doing your best and instead try to help out to those who are behind- they will appreciate and become your peers.
Are you currently experiencing stress at work? If, what is causing the stress and how are you coping?
Remember, stress is a mental and physical experience. I recommend you bring up any concerns to your immediate supervisor and discuss your feelings, I’m sure your company also has a HR support around stress-these are great resources to use. If you don’t want to- try to meditate, try to listen to relaxing music, try to read motivational quotes, books, stories on your way to work, eat healthy, make sure you take your breaks , exercise, drink a lot of water.
Hope this helps.
Second, stress could be caused because of you Leadership. Your Manager could be someone who is not to go to person and expects you to find all answers on your own by using resources as well as asking your peers. This potentially could be very stressful,but on the positive not-e this is also another fast way for you to learn. I recommend, find yourself a mentor or a peer who is willing to support you daily.
Third stress could be related because you might not feel that you are part of the team, your ideas might be getting shut down because you are new, some co workers feel that you are trying to show off-but don’t worry-you are on your own career path and this should not stop you as others might not want to grow within the company or haven’t performed and now you are putting stress into them. Continue doing your best and instead try to help out to those who are behind- they will appreciate and become your peers.
Are you currently experiencing stress at work? If, what is causing the stress and how are you coping?
Remember, stress is a mental and physical experience. I recommend you bring up any concerns to your immediate supervisor and discuss your feelings, I’m sure your company also has a HR support around stress-these are great resources to use. If you don’t want to- try to meditate, try to listen to relaxing music, try to read motivational quotes, books, stories on your way to work, eat healthy, make sure you take your breaks , exercise, drink a lot of water.
Hope this helps.
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1750
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Stress comes in many forms. At my last job, I was a state employee, but working for a private contractor who had been hired to oversee the program. The contractor thought they knew everything. They did not want ANY feedback or suggestions from employees whatsoever. I found this frustrating. Another thing that was frustrating is we were supposed to be helping people find jobs, but, the contractor was more concerned with us generating statistics to prove we were "successful." So, rather than working with customers, we spent about 80% of our time doing research to determine if previous customers had found jobs.
In my previous job, I was a police officer. Aside from the normal regular police stuff, one of the things that caused stress was not knowing if you were going to be ordered to work a double shift until the last minute. It made it difficult to make plans during your off-duty time. For example, suppose you work 6 am- 2 pm, and your child is involved in athletics. It could mean you would miss his/her games.
Other common stressors on a job include micromanagement: someone watching you closely instead of just letting you do your job. Low morale, which could have to do with low pay and benefits, or problems with management and supervision.
I always used to try to retreat into my own head, and just kept reminding myself that "they" could not get in there! It worked pretty good most of the time!
In my previous job, I was a police officer. Aside from the normal regular police stuff, one of the things that caused stress was not knowing if you were going to be ordered to work a double shift until the last minute. It made it difficult to make plans during your off-duty time. For example, suppose you work 6 am- 2 pm, and your child is involved in athletics. It could mean you would miss his/her games.
Other common stressors on a job include micromanagement: someone watching you closely instead of just letting you do your job. Low morale, which could have to do with low pay and benefits, or problems with management and supervision.
I always used to try to retreat into my own head, and just kept reminding myself that "they" could not get in there! It worked pretty good most of the time!
Naveen Kumar Vegi
Project Engineer
3
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Naveen Kumar’s Answer
I would say worrying about the things which are not in your control can be very stressful no matter its professional or personal stuff. Mostly, when it comes to professional stuff you work in teams or other stake holders. In my case i work with different service providers who are bound by different conditions like holidays, weather, different locations etc. Initially i used to have tough time getting things done in time to meet my completion dates. So it was very stressful. Lately, i started working on root cause of the problems and started making plan B's for my projects to meet the deadlines.
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
850
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
I do project-based work, so the great times of stress are when those project inevitably collide. Projects always start out evenly spaced out. Project also usually slip due to a variety of different challenges, usually the work of other people that influences my work. The challenge here is trying to figure a way out or a way through. The greatest challenge that I have is having to bring people into a project that I have already been working on. It makes me feel like the work is even harder by bringing people in late. I also do not have a lot of coworkers who think like me, so working with their preferences is also challenging.
John McCarthy
U.S. Military
92
Answers
Honolulu, Hawaii
Updated
John’s Answer
Naupaka,
Stress comes in all shapes and sizes. The military as a whole presents a scenario too complicated to be discussed in a single thread when discussing stress. To speak on my core job as an IT, there are instances that require the ability to manage stress due to unforeseen instances occurring that could not have been prevented. The reactionary nature involved with being an IT creates a bit of anxiousness since a situation can arise at any time of the day or night.
To combat stress, it makes the most sense to be fully qualified and capable within your area of responsibility. Being able to delegate and share those responsibilities with other capable people on the team minimizes the stress levels as well. A good work/life balance is necessary for mental health and sustainability purposes. In our shop we watch Jeopardy every day at lunch to sharpen our wits, make ridiculous shouting matches of incorrect responses towards the screen, and use it as an opportunity to unwind. Comedy in a stressful environment is necessary.
I love my job and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Stress comes in all shapes and sizes. The military as a whole presents a scenario too complicated to be discussed in a single thread when discussing stress. To speak on my core job as an IT, there are instances that require the ability to manage stress due to unforeseen instances occurring that could not have been prevented. The reactionary nature involved with being an IT creates a bit of anxiousness since a situation can arise at any time of the day or night.
To combat stress, it makes the most sense to be fully qualified and capable within your area of responsibility. Being able to delegate and share those responsibilities with other capable people on the team minimizes the stress levels as well. A good work/life balance is necessary for mental health and sustainability purposes. In our shop we watch Jeopardy every day at lunch to sharpen our wits, make ridiculous shouting matches of incorrect responses towards the screen, and use it as an opportunity to unwind. Comedy in a stressful environment is necessary.
I love my job and I wouldn't change it for the world.
John Peck
Training
9
Answers
Tennessee, IL
Updated
John’s Answer
Happy to share my experiences related to stress. My career primarily managing manufacturing plants, which some people consider a highly stressful career. I did not find it that way, I believe stress is just perceived and a result of not correcting problems or issues. You must have a team to assist and help and give feedback without fear. I think the only thing I consider stress was someone possibly being injured on the job. Although I must have directed my stress the right way as I never had anyone seriously injured in 30 years of management.
Wow good for u sir. Must be really wonderful working with you. Always keep ur team safe so they come home safe too.
Nikisha Mercado
Emesha Hutchins
Team Lead
41
Answers
Mesquite, Texas
Updated
Emesha’s Answer
Hi Naupaka, that's a really good question. In my job if there is a breakdown in communication and expectations that can become stressful for me. In my role I support multiple teams so having good communication and setting expectations are so important to my job.