The global workforce has changed employment patterns in all developed countries forever. Gone are the days of the industrial and technological revolution – where productivity and efficiency was almost totally dependent on process efficiencies of getting the job done. In today’s connected society, organizations are more and more made up primarily of ‘knowledge workers’ (people whose jobs require formal and/or advanced education and are considered people who “think for a living.”). Today’s employees are often highly educated professionals and technicians who must bring their specialisms together for a common purpose. That being said, processing efficiencies (i.e. production capacity) takes place within the mind of each and every one of our people — right down on our front lines. This is exists in all complex, ambiguous and interdependent organizational systems, but is especially true in the health industry, where front line service providers are highly trained doctors, nurses, and technicians.
Now couple that with increased demands to perform at a continuously high level of excellence amid the pressures of increased complexity and ambiguity at a lightning fast pace, often compounded by thickening layers of bureaucracy, and it is nothing short of inevitable that our workplaces have become overwhelmingly taxing and stress-filled. Additionally, it was a global pandemic that catapulted these realities to the forefront around the world. In fact, the pandemic tipped the scale in all health care industries, and stability on the front lines is no more! The physical health, mental health, emotional health, and yes, even the social health of front line health care workers and their leaders in every developed country across the globe has taken a major hit. So, what’s to be done?
The answer does not lie in getting rid of the circumstances that are causing the stress. In order to compete in the global economy, the demands for performance, the complexity, the ambiguity, and yes, even the bureaucracy (particularly in the public sector), cannot and will not abate. The answer lies in fact, within the realms of leadership – especially front line and mid-level leaders – who must look within themselves to acquire a new mindset and new skillsets … and the field of neuroscience and cognitive science is showing us the way.
This new mindset of front liners and their managers will give them the power to work and live beyond the stress – in spite of the stress – as they learn to create within themselves a conscious mental and emotional environment that will shield them from the harmful effects of the inevitable stress. The science is in and the research confirms, that the skill of Positive Presence is the first step to acquiring the necessary thought habits for a new mindset.
CORPORATE HARMONY is grateful to Dr. Michael E. Frisina for his contributions to this entry.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.