Engage in Group Grieving. While I'll close the article with individual stress management strategies, let's start with a systems intervention for helping the community of employees grapple with the above-mentioned stressors and losses. And it's not just loss of funds, fees and familiar faces. Cynicism and despondency can build when we feel the organization, the profession, the health care industry and the larger society devalue our services and a once cherished mission. It's not just a heavy workload that's the culprit.
People can thrive on reasonably high volume if they have some impact on timing, scheduling and flow.
But, for example, when corporate, headquarters or the main office are making global, top down decisions that are fairly out of touch with local needs and operational realities the consequences are often demoralizing. Remember, management must let professionals exercise reasonable independence and individuality in thought and practice. Professionals must understand that accountability to clients and professional management, i.e., effective and ethical management, supports autonomy and credibility. Also, the accountability process legitimizes the need for and strengthens the quality of service delivery. During my years as a stress consultant to the US Postal Service, customer service was top priority.