Performance Under Pressure - Effective Human Interactions

For the vast majority of people, work involves interaction with others, which means that good working relationships are indispensable to good performance. But pressure is also an inescapable aspect of work, and pressure can cause relationships to suffer.

Pressure isn't always bad. In fact, some pressure is desirable; it generates action. In some circumstances it enhances performance – like an athlete getting psyched up for a race. In the workplace, pressure can bring members of a team closer, focusing the team on a common objective and producing feelings of camaraderie when all are sharing the same pressures. However, it's important to understand how pressure can have negative impacts.

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An individual's response to pressure may be rooted in that individual's work style. Of course, a preference for one style doesn't mean an individual won't adopt another style under different circumstances. Furthermore, an individual's response to pressure situations will vary depending on his or her ability to cope with different kinds of pressure.

Access the learning aid Work Style Behaviors to review the four styles.

Access this learning aid to determine if you're effectively utilizing the benefits of pressure in the workplace.

In order to perform effectively with others who are under pressure in the workplace, you must manage your own reactions to pressure. If you don't manage your reactions to pressure well, you may fall into a trap of negative interactions with others. For example, in a stressful situation, you may become irritable, tactless, or uncooperative toward colleagues.

One of the most difficult interpersonal challenges in the workplace is dealing constructively with other people when they're reacting to stress. There are guidelines to help you deal with such situations. First, always show respect to others. Second, learn to detect stress in others. Third, avoid getting hooked by the other person's behavior. And last, don't try to block a person from using their automatic stress-reducing mechanisms.

The third guideline to help you deal with stressed colleagues is to avoid getting hooked by their stressed behavior. One way to do this is to reframe your thinking. For example, rather than focusing on your dislike of the behavior the other is exhibiting, realize what lies behind it. You'll generally find that the person has experienced an enormous buildup of pressure that's causing them to react in this way.

The fourth guideline to help you deal with stressed colleagues is to avoid blocking automatic stress- reducing mechanisms. If you do this – say, you tell someone to calm down – you're more likely to prolong the stress reaction.

Access thelearning aid Dealing with Others under Pressure for the guidelines.

Use this job aid to help you be effective in dealing with others under pressure. Dealing with others under pressure

Unpleasant interactions with colleagues are a typical source of pressure in the workplace. It's likely that you have encountered a situation recently that you wish you'd handled differently. Even if you have exceptional people skills, you'll still come across challenging people in the work environment from time to time – whether it's a colleague, superior, or client.

You can use a four-step technique to help you manage negative interactions at work. First, monitor your feelings and tendencies toward instinctive responses to pressure. Then, use a diversion – such as a brisk walk – to avoid obsessing about the situation. Next, replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Finally, prepare to interact positively.

The second step for handling stressful interactions is to use a diversion – if required. A diversion could be taking a brisk walk, deep breathing, listening to music, or engaging in some routine task. This helps block negative tendencies to dwell on the situation. It also prevents you from exaggerating the problem further or becoming even more stressed. A diversion also creates some distance between you and the stressful situation, and gives you space to calmly work out your response.

The final step for handling stressful interactions is to prepare to interact positively. If you let yourself get into a negative frame of mind about an interaction, that interaction is much less likely to be successful. Start by clarifying what's emotionally challenging about the interaction. For example, if you're unable to complete a task, you may be afraid that your manager will become irritable.

This course helps you develop skills you need to recognize your personal reaction to pressure and how it impacts your relationships with others. It shows how you can consciously control your interpersonal reactions when under pressure and how to avoid unnecessary tensions. And it details a step-by-step process you can use to stay in control when you're faced with a high-pressure interaction. This all enables you to recognize the importance of professional relationships, and it helps you to stay in control and make the right moves when you're performing with others under pressure.

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