Drama, especially within the workplace, is something that needs to be handled delicately. If drama is left unchecked, it can, and will escalate. Stress and heavy workloads are the second and third most common contributors to conflict. Drama increases stress levels, can ruin relationships, and decreases productivity, effectiveness, and morale in the workplace.
An overwhelming majority (85%) of employees experience conflict or drama in some area of their life. In 2008, employees in the U.S. spent 2.8 hours per week dealing with conflicts; this resulted in $359 billion in paid hours (CPP Inc, 2008).
The solution is to ditch the drama. In small and larger companies, the behavior of leadership determines conflict management and company culture but individuals at the microlevel can make a difference as well.
It is important not to make assumptions; only focus on what you know you have directly seen or heard yourself. Be sure to clearly communicate with the people you work with. Sometimes, drama is inevitable. If caught in a conflict, sometimes it is better to just let it go and walk away; not everything requires a reaction. If you notice that certain people always tend to be at the center of drama, try to limit the amount of time you can spend with them. Don’t waste your valuable time and energy engaging in negative interactions.
Freud would say that we are letting the ego control our lives because we let it operate under the direct influence of external events. The ego should be directed by our higher inner selves. We need to utilize the ego to create a conscious awareness of our emotions and actions. One of the ego’s favorite ‘sports’ is to make something colossal out of something minute. Thus, we should train our egos to love calmness and embrace peace. We need to jubilantly accept what is and be happy. Cognitive theorists would say that drama is a form of catastrophizing which is a cognitive error allowing an individual to believe that a simple let down is an absolute nightmare.
It is vital to not let our minds be filled with other people’s “noise” because that forms and fills our ego. If we become involved in drama, we need to stop, create awareness and pay close attention to our thoughts and actions. This will allow us to stress less, have better relationships, and utilize our limited time in the best way possible.
C: Constant clear communication is key
A: Assumptions lead to drama, never assume!
L: Let it go; be the bigger person and walk away. Don’t add fuel to the fire.
M: Make your life your own; do not let others poison it.
To learn more, visit www.draldencass.com or call Dr. Cass directly at 646-202-9611.
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