Because I had arrived early, I sat waiting for a client in the reception area of one of our institutions last week. The whole atmosphere was so relaxed I began people-watching. There was laughter and pleasant greetings given to all visitors and to the staff who passed through the foyer area. I don't think I saw anyone scurry past with their heads down seeking to avoid eye contact. And yes, I reported what I experienced to the boss when my appointment time came. I am convinced that organisations are created by such conversations and connections and not by organisational structures. Everyone would surely want to work in such an environment and, I am equally convinced, the business of that enterprise will be achieved more successfully and efficiently.

The quality of the communications between people determine the culture - 'the way it's done round here' that characterises the workplace. That culture also determines the effectiveness of the work done. Building an organisation has to be attempted with people. If it is not recognised that people need at least basic care, recognition, praise, a sense of being worthwhile (which at least means being given the tools and the training needed for the work), friends to work with, and someone who bothers to ask how it is going from time to time, then the structure will be weak and contain the faultiness of its own destruction.

I suspect then that the environment for good outcomes at work can be measured by the quality of people's communications with each other. I know for sure that when the way of speaking is not right, eruptions can be damaging for all concerened and certainly for the business. I also know, since part of my work is as a Counsellor in a GP surgery, that when the communication is not right, stress results and there is significant damage to human health. A major source of destructive stress comes from the inner emotional response to being put down that we try so hard not to let others see. Regrettably, I see some clients in distress who are so damaged by the bullying they suffer, they will not only not return to their job, they may never risk working for someone again.

So is there a way to improve communication and build cultures that maximise people's sense of satisfaction and wellbeing, while enabling highly energised work to be done? I think so. The so-called counselling skills that I use daily as a counsellor are the essential skills needed by us all to create good working environments which minimise destructive stress at work. These skills can be taught and every business can do something about its own health by investing in counselling skills training. There are many such courses available and many trainers who will gladly design a course which fits the needs of your business.

Maybe there are more predictable behaviour patterns in your workplace too. What better measurement of your business can there be than to have the people who make it happen happy to be there?

6.	Readers Stress Stories

This recommended stress management approach from reader Isobel Gildea is not all that it seems!

1. Picture yourself near a stream.

2. Birds are chirping in the crisp, cool mountain air.

3. Nothing can bother you here. No one knows this secret place.

4. You are in total seclusion from that place called 'the world'. the soothing sound of gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

5. The water is clear.

6. You can easily make out the face of the person whose head you're holding under the water!

7. There now...........................feeling better?

Thank you Isobel!

Do you have a story that you would like to send into us for the next copy of 'In Equilibrium'? Perhaps you have a good idea about combating stress at work, maybe you have an experience that you think others would learn from? We are looking for any of your experiences, humourous or deadly serious, signed or anonymous!

We will print the best story in the next In Equilibrium, if your story is printed we will send you a copy of the book we reviewed this month.

7.	Meditations

Choosing How You Focus

Most people have experienced the particular hell which exists when concentration seems impossible. It can take us into a highly anxious and pressurised state. Pressure, urgency, fears, anger and other distractions can take us away from our centre.

When nothing is working, we can lose the ability to concentrate, we 'lose the flow', and the result can be that we end up thrashing about in a totally unproductive way. The opposite of this is when we are 'in flow' and we are able to focus. We can do what needs to be done, we can move ahead, be in the present and experience the joy of living.

"When you use concentration to run away from yourself or your situation, it is wrong concentration. Sometimes we need to escape our problems for relief, but at some time we have to return to face them." Thich Nhat Hanh (Buddhist teacher)

It is worth thinking about how you experience concentration. Start by making 2 lists; On List 1 write down when in your life you have experienced being focused and in the flow, on List 2 write down occasions where you have found yourself carried away in an activity that took you out of your life through distraction, that is, you felt as though you were passing time, you were not fully involved.

On list 1 you might see times when you have been so focused that you have ended up wondering where the time went. Perhaps you had the experience of losing yourself in the activity, yet your awareness was heightened and your actions seemed congruent and flowing. On list 2 you might find times where you were involved in an action, but reflecting on it later you saw it as rather meaningless, possibly even harmful. A question to ponder; does anyone ever wish they had spent more time watching TV or playing a computer game?

What to do with this information......

Look deeply at the moments where you felt you were 'in flow' and you might find talents and capacities that if developed could create more meaning in your life. Look at the ways you distract yourself from real life, and you may find your own ways to cover suffering and possibly self-defeating behaviours.

Being in the flow state means thinking more clearly. Practice being in the present time and acting with awareness and clear intentions - does your concentration flow better?