Chasity Wells-Armstrong

Behavior is a clear indicator of stress. I have found that when employees are overwhelmed by stress, they may act out because they may feel like they are being unfairly treated, bombarded with excessive work, etc.. Often times, employees will "check out" meaning that they are not focused on completing tasks, may be late to meetings, or miss other obligations. It is also important to be mindful of what employees are saying and not saying, what activities they are engaging in and not, and how the coping strategies they are using to manage their stress. Again, if employees' behaviors are impacting the work culture, it is important to offer support and resources which will strengthen the resilience of the team and increase productivity.

Stress at work can be a good thing if it is occurring as a result of opportunities and/or growth. However, when stress is generated because of unhealthy environments, abuse of power, being overworked, etc.. one of the first signs the one will experience is physical signs. For me, my neck and shoulders ached. I found myself doing neck rolls all day in an effort to relieve tension. Sleep disturbances are also common because of the anxiety the employee is experiencing. Stomach issues are also a common complaint, again related to the anxiety the workplace is creating for the employee. Difficulty concentrating is another factor. If these signs are persisting beyond a season in the work cycle, it is best to seek support.

As I have evolved in my career, I have found that many people don't have the fortune of mapping out a career plan. Many people take positions because they are available. When this is the pattern of one's career path, it's very common not to be aligned to one's values, interests, etc.. Therefore, I encourage people to do some self-reflection to figure out what interests they have, what values they hold dear, what motivates them to want to get up in the morning, and consider their current skills and skills needed to do the work they desire. A Life Coach can help those who find themselves in this space to explore the opportunities.

Staying positive is always a strength trait when addressing challenges such as Imposter Syndrome. It is important to pay attention to self-talk and the limiting beliefs one has adopted. Perspective is key and even if one "fails," there are always lessons that can be taken away from the experience. Also, setting reasonable expectations for oneself is important as learning is a process. Skill development is a process and the more one practices, the better one is able to execute the skill.

Education is key to learning the best practices at any craft. Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased use of technology to facilitate meetings, trainings, webinars, and such.. it has been helpful for me to learn how to utilize various platform tools to engage the audience and keep them connected to the work. Breakout rooms, polls, and other tools have often sparked conversations during group facilitation. In terms of managing conflict, I make it a practice to set the ground rules at the beginning of the group facilitation and get buy in from everyone to uphold the rules of the group and conduct themselves in a professional manner. Finally, as technology continues to evolve, so must group facilitators to remain fresh.

First of all, normalizing Imposter Syndrome is helpful in addressing it. Many high achievers experience with no regard for education, skills, etc.. Oftentimes, it occurs when a person is in a new role and/or internalizing the limitations others have projected on them. In regard to group facilitation, I suffered from Imposter Syndrome when I had to facilitate my first group. What helped me was educating myself about it, "doing my homework" so I was prepared to facilitate my session, and visualizing myself speaking to that large group as a successful facilitator. :)