What stresses you out?
Everyone has a different reaction to a variety of stimuli. Some people thrive on overtime and working 24/7. Other people it puts in an early grave. Some people crave the rush of adrenaline when jumping from a plane or being in a fight. For others, those same events can cause near catatonia.
The most important thing I can tell you about this is that you must be willing to consider others. A manager who works 24/7 and can’t understand that it actually makes some people physically sick will alienate her reports and cause massive problems in her business. But when a person can’t see beyond themselves, when they think that everyone is like them and/or no one else matters, they lose a lot.
One thing that stresses me out is dealing with people. My managers always say, come relax with us, we’ll go eat and hang out for a while. They can’t grasp the concept that is not relaxing for me. That’s my idea of hell.
Some would say I’m anti-social. I don’t think that’s really the case. I just don’t like being around people all that much. I grew up alone and have spent most of my life alone. I’m alone when surrounded by people. Just the way it is.
I think it’s important, if one is a manager of people, to understand that others are not workaholics. I can work very hard for a short amount of time. Say two 65+ hour work weeks. Then I’ve got to recharge and a night out on the town, followed by a 9PM meeting is not going to help.
I know, I seem to be whining here. But there’s a message buried in here.
People are not the same. Understand that. Accept that. And the world will be much, much better for it.
