Stress & Power

1. Stress & Power • Stress – Chapter 6 • Power & Politics – Chapter 10 pp. 299-313

2. Stress Defined Stress is a person’s adaptive response to a stimulus that places excessive psychological or physical demands on that person.

3. Distress and Eustress • Eustress • The pleasurable stress that accompanies positive events. • Distress • The unpleasant stress that accompanies negative events.

4. Stress as a Person x Situation Interaction • Assumption: Events trigger stress, but people respond to stress differently • Individual difference factors moderate INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES STRESSOR STRESS REACTION

5. Type A and Type B Personality Profiles Type B Type A The Type B person is less competitive, is less devoted to work, and has a weaker sense of time urgency. The Type A individual is extremely competitive, very devoted to work, and has a strong sense of time urgency. vs.

6. Hardiness • Hardiness • A person’s ability to cope with stress. • People with hardy personalities: • Have internal locus of control • Are strongly committed to the activities in their lives • View change as an opportunity for advancement and growth

7. Optimism • Optimism • The extent to which a person sees life in relatively positive or negative ways. • “Is the glass half empty or half full?” • In general, optimistic people tend to handle stress better than pessimistic people.

8. Causes of Stress: Organizational Stressors Task Demands: - Occupation - Security - Overload Role Demands: - Ambiguity - Conflict Physical Demands: - Temperature - Office Design Interpersonal Demands: - Group Pressures - Leadership Style - Personalities

9. Consequences of Stress: Individual Consequences Behavioral: - Alcohol Abuse - Drug Abuse - Violence Psychological: - Sleep Disturbances - Depression Medical: - Heart Disease - Headaches

10. Organizational Consequences Performance Declines Withdrawal: Absenteeism Turnover Attitudes: Decreased Satisfaction & Commitment Burnout

11. Managing Stress in the Workplace Individual Coping Strategies Exercise Relaxation Time Management Role Management Support Groups

12. Managing Stress in the Workplace Organizational Coping Strategies Institutional Programs Collateral Programs

13. Power The capacity of “A” to influence the behavior of “B” so that “B” does things that he/she would not otherwise do. ABBehavior

14. Bases of Power • Reward – control rewards • Coercive – punish or harm • Legitimate – position • Expert – control information • Referent – “I want to be you”

15. POSITION Legitimate Reward Coercive Information PERSONAL Referent Expert Persuasive Charisma Position vs. Personal Power