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Learning THIS art will keep your workplace stress away

Are you battling workplace stress? We have a ‘secret’ tip that is going to help you tackle this issue effectively.
Poor time management can lead to stress or burnout. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Geetika Sachdev Published: 1 Dec 2021, 18:00 pm IST
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How often have we heard the phrase ‘hustle hard’? A million times, we are sure! But does that end up making you feel workplace stress all the time? Does it make you feel inadequate if you do not have too many tasks on your to-do list? Do you make sure you are loaded with work, but at the end of the day, you do not know where to start from?

If this sounds like you, let us tell you that you are at a high risk of being burnt out. But there’s always a solution, and HealthShots is here to help you. We got in touch with Devisha Batra, Senior Counseling Psychologist, IWill to understand what’s the best thing to do. Ready to find out?

The art of delegation

Yes, this is the key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. “Delegation is the act of assigning tasks to other members of the team. In other words, it means one has been empowered by the senior member to take responsibility for certain activities. It removes the burden from one person and increases efficiency, motivation, and job satisfaction,” says Batra.

But it is first necessary to understand when it is appropriate to delegate. Are you logging off late from work or putting in extra work hours while the team leaves? Do you regularly have backlogs at work that consist of a never-ending list to complete each day, and have no time for yourself? Are you someone who has been missing deadlines because you have a lot of work to cater to? If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, you must know that it is the right time to delegate.

In order to help divide the tasks easily, there are some factors that can prove to be essential to learn the art of delegation.

Remember the ‘Art of delegating’ policy! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Here’s what you need to keep in mind to avoid workplace stress, according to Batra

  • Clarity of the objective/ deciding what to delegate:

You need to first ask yourself, “What exactly needs to be done in the task? What is the demand of the task?”

  • Selecting the right people for the job:

Think about, “Is this a task that can be done by someone else? Is there someone else who has the required skill or knowledge to complete the work?”

  • Match tasks with strengths of team members:

Understanding the team plays a very crucial role. The ability to recognize strengths and weaknesses will provide an idea about each person’s potential. This will help create a successful team, increase individual productivity, and willingness to work, allowing for a cohesive environment.

  • Check on the current workload of the person:

Ask if the person has time to take on another task?

  • Involve subordinates in the delegation process:

Discuss what is being delegated and ask the team about their preferences, and what type of tasks they would be comfortable in taking responsibility for. This will help in gaining an understanding about their views on the objective of the task, and reduce your workplace stress.

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How does it help reduce stress for the team?

“People experience psychological empowerment when they are given tasks that require them to take responsibility for meaningful tasks. It leads to an increase in motivation and enhances self-efficacy. It increases a person’s belief about themselves that they are competent, and can make a difference to the team and work,” explains Batra.

Teams in offices play a huge role in management. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

As a team leader or manager, this gives an opportunity to focus on planning, strategic thinking and continuous improvement efforts.

“When employees are given responsibilities within the company, it stimulates their creativity and also induces a feeling of belonging. It creates a two-way communication between the team members, which eases flow of expression of ideas between hierarchy, reducing the barriers of communication, subsequently fostering a comfortable work environment,” she adds.

At first, delegation may seem like a hassle. However, once implemented effectively, it can help expand a team’s output and skillset, providing recognition, and building motivation for the team.

Geetika Sachdev

An independent writer and journalist, Geetika loves sharp and fresh humour, just like her coffee! If not writing, you'll find her cafe-hopping and raiding the best book stores in town. ...Read More

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