Municipal Monitor - March/April 2008 - (Page 5)

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By Betteanne M. Cadman, CMO Stress and Change ranging from bullying, uncooperative atmosphere, lack of teamwork, unclear expectations and autocratic leadership to adjusting to a new council and their expectations, style of governance, pressure to meet unrealistic expectations and dealing with the constant and continuous state of transformation occurring in municipalities. Now that my curiosity was piqued, or rather my need to know got the better of me, I Googled “stress.” Lo and behold, 195,000,000 results! My arbitrary selection or perhaps some subconscious decision (refer to no chance, no Providence and nothing ever just happens) led me to the following website: www.geocities.com/ beyond_stretched/tests.htm. I discovered that stress is synonymous with change. A 1998 General Social Survey revealed that approximately 25% of Canadians between the ages of 25 and 44 described themselves as severely time-stressed; 30% considered themselves to be workaholics (describe anyone you know?); and that greater than 50% believed they were not spending enough time with family and friends. And to think those conclusions were from a 10year-old survey! It makes me wonder how much worse today’s conditions are with all the major stresses we have faced since then. That particular website also has two interactive tests that can be completed to assess the level of stress in your profession and also in relation to life changes or events, developed in 1967 by Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe and published as the “Social Readjustment Rating Scale.” Earlier I referred to 10 or so life events; in fact, the Rating Scale contains some 43 stressful events in terms of the extent to which a person would need to adjust their established lifestyle in order to adapt to the situation. I know how we all hate to respond to surveys, and just don’t have the time to spare, but these particular tests really only take a few minutes and, if anything, may confirm your suspicions or lack thereof of a stressful life. Everyone handles stress differently and there is no one right answer. What is important is that each of us as individuals (as well as our supervisors and employers) must recognize that we humans have an innate, if not evolutionary, ability to adapt over time to stressful conditions through our resilience in the face of adversity, trauma and tragedy. Sometimes, we just need a bit of help getting through the tougher times. I have a quote by Peter Marshall on the inside cover of my journal that often helps me to put many things in perspective. “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” ◆ municipal MONITOR • 5 tress. A widely cited definition of the term describes it as a “particular relationship between the person and the environment that is appraised by the person as taxing or exceeding his or her resources and endangering well-being.” Recently, I happened by chance (although some individuals would purport that there is no chance, no Providence, and nothing ever just happens) to read an article with respect to life events and stress. I had often heard about a list of 10 or so life events that disrupt an individual’s usual activities, causing substantial change and readjustment. What was surprising to me was that stressors are not always brought on by negative events and that a certain amount of stress in one’s life is good and necessary. Apparently, eustress – which is healthy, curative stress – results in a positive adaptation being made by an individual. This optimum degree of stress leads to creativity, problem solving, progress, change, learning and energetic satisfaction and must be present for a person to function. Go figure. But if the aforementioned life events aren’t enough to stress you out, there are always systems issues that can induce stress as well. Think for a moment and I’m sure you can recall hearing a friend or colleague bemoan how stressful their workplace has been in the last year – with complaints March/April 2008 S http://www.geocities.com/beyond_stretched/tests.htm http://www.geocities.com/beyond_stretched/tests.htm

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Municipal Monitor - March/April 2008

Municipal Monitor - March/April 2008 Contents President's Message: Stress and Change Viewpoint: Much Ado About Nothing? Covering the Cost: Tapping into Safe, Sustainable Water and Sewage Services Closed Session Investigations: What Do They Mean for Your Municipality? Subtle Sabotage: Female Bullying Trends in the Workplace Water Under the Bridge Municipal Memos Index to Advertisers

Municipal Monitor - March/April 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.