Earthen Vessels

When confronted with stressful situations we can enter a 'fight or flight' syndrome. Stress is when the pressure exceeds the ability to cope. The word comes from the Latin 'stringere' meaning to tighten. We can run from the causes of stress or meet them head on. There are both physical and behavoural symptoms of stress and a number of illnesses resulting from it. It can affect job satisfaction and performance. Other effects are absenteeism and employee turnover. The sources of stress include role ambiguity and role conflict, relationship problems and work/life imbalances. People cope differently with stress. They can be classified into two main types. Type A people are active and dynamic are more stress prone, Type B less so.

In medicine, a crisis can be looked at as the period during which doctors can determine whether a patient stands a good chance of recovery or not. Once the critical period is over the chances are known and the doctors can say if the patient will survive or not.
A crisis-growth model was also developed for businesses by Greiner. It is the evolution-revolution theory that businesses go through periods of crisis followed by periods of growth. Competition analysts use Porter's 5 forces model to develop competitive strategies for business start up, survival and growth.

We occasionally find ourselves in difficulties on all sides, with problems, crises, stress and conflict and in competitive markets. We need to have inner power and strength to get through stressful and difficult times. Stress management programmes can help. They can be work-place based interventions through job redesign and job rotation, proper placement of staff and relationship methods and individual based interventions like relaxation techniques. People also find great strength through spiritual paths to inner strength and healing like prayer and meditation. We are only human beings in frail mortal flesh and though we might have power and influence given to us we should still be careful to look after ourselves. Stress and conflict can affect our thinking so in looking after ourselves we may be able to better look after the interests of others.