With Alan Weiss, at NSA Pittsburgh



Adrenaline surges; blood thins; heart rate increases; the brain perceives a threat.  Is it a prehistoric flight from a predator?  No, it’s just someone typing stuff at work.  Multiply these physical reactions by 8+ hour workdays, 6+ day workweeks, and few vacation days (I think Americans are the only species to brag about how little we relax).  Not only do we thrash at each other in the workplace, we also put our health at risk. 

Stress=illness=missed work=loss of productivity.  Alan Weiss (www.contrarianconsulting.com) at a speech to the NSA (not that one, the other one) said that stress is the main reason for employee absence--the highest expense that businesses have today.  Weiss is the author of “The Ultimate Consultant” series, and is an  expert on work/life balance.  He is also the only person I have ever met who uses the word peregrination (look it up; I had to). 

How do we make the workplace livable?  Make it laughable—bring more humor into your workplace, and people won’t be waiting for you to slip up.  They may wait for you to slip, period, so they can laugh.  But at least you’re helping their emotional health, and saving your employer some money.  You can be the “Shining Example” who starts the ball rolling, by not taking things too seriously yourself.  Including yourself.  Start tomorrow….and help your co-workers to “Get Your SHINE Together!”