Every year the American Psychological Association takes the pulse of the stress levels of Americans, along with the triggers and causes of those stressors. In the 13th annual report, they found that although overall stress levels remained steady in comparison to previous years, more people are experiencing stress over specific issues. The primary sources of American stress in 2019 were the upcoming presidential election, healthcare, and mass shootings.
The Hierarchy of Needs
All of these issues center around some of our most basic physical and emotional requirements. Remember Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? Just above that level of physiological needs — food, water, clothing, a home— is the level of safety needs. Those include personal security, employment, and health. The safety needs must be met before we can continue to move up the pyramid.
A looming presidential election year contributes to a feeling of general uncertainty that can breed stress and insecurity. Without knowing who will be running our country for the next four years, we don’t know what our healthcare system will look like. We face the undetermined horizon of rising premiums, lack of coverage, and increasing costs. Additionally, the future of gun laws is under continuous consternation, and the constant influx of mass shootings cause us to feel a lack of control over our safety and that of our families and friends.
Psychological Safety at Work
Violence also happens in the workplace. Lack of mental health support, the stigma surrounding it, and a feeling of helplessness from disgruntled employees contribute to a lack of perceived psychological safety by employees in the workplace. Amy C. Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School and organizational leadership expert, often discusses the concept of psychological safety. She argues that psychological safety should be a priority of any company, because it empowers employees at every level to be open and honest, which leads to employee empowerment and organizational integrity.
If employees feel safe enough to voice concerns, bring forward issues, and disagree, their voices can be heard and organizations can truly make decisions based on real experiences and honest feedback. In contrast, if people feel like they can’t speak up, ask a question, or bring up an issue, they are more likely to feel less safe in that environment.
Open for Discussion
Giving your colleagues and employees a platform and providing a healthy atmosphere for the candid discussion of their questions, issues, and concern— whether it be privately or in a group— can go a long way toward increasing their feelings of safety. Here are a few ways you can implement this practice immediately:
It’s a new year, and open enrollment has just occurred. Meet with your employees one-on-one to go over the details of their healthcare plan even if they didn’t request an appointment.
Make sure everyone knows what to do in the case of an emergency in the building.
Truly engage with your people. Ask them if they are happy and satisfied. Ask them how they feel about their daily tasks. See if that new program you launched is working out on their end.
The amplified psychological stress that rose in 2019 combined with the uncertainties of an election year may leave you feeling unsettled, unfocused, and perhaps, unsafe. Dr. Delligatti can help you and/or your business create an actionable plan for managing stress to not only survive but thrive in the new year. Contact her for more information.