Summer 2020 newsletter includes tips for managing stress whilst homeworking

Welcome to our Summer newsletter which includes:

• A self-care tip to benefit our overall wellbeing
• Details of the most recent articles on our blog including “Examples of the key characteristics of a resilient manager”
• Are you and your team homeworking? Trainer Sue Butterfield offers tips to recognise & manage stress in team members
• Links to helpful toolkits, resources and articles
• And finally … some creativity that made us smile during lockdown!

We can now deliver versions of all our courses in a live online format.
Due to the intensity of live digital training, these courses are shorter than their face-to-face equivalents but are all delivered by our experienced trainers who are subject experts.
We are also able to offer bespoke courses and, of course, face-to-face training if the relevant Government safety guidelines are followed.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like any further information or a discussion about your requirements.

Examples of the key characteristics of a resilient manager

This short article provides a definition of this now commonly used word together with a list of the key characteristics a resilient manager will possess. It highlights that resilience is not a trait we were born with but a life skill we can all develop.

Recent articles added to our blog

– Interactive, engaging, live virtual training delivered by subject experts
– Support managers to discuss mental health with staff during Covid-19
– Investigations in the Workplace – Why effective communication skills are essential
– The DESC model for assertiveness

Self-care Tip

We could all do with an extra bit of ‘TLC’ at the moment and the mental subtraction of positive events exercise is a great way to acknowledge and appreciate elements of our lives that contribute to our overall wellbeing but can all too easily be taken for granted.  Read it here

Visit our tips archive

Ask The Expert

In our latest Ask the Expert Q&A, specialist trainer, Sue Butterfield, offers practical advice and tips on how to recognise and manage stress in team members who are working remotely.

Read Sue’s answer here

Have a look at our archive of Ask the Expert Q&A’s

Amanda’s Column

Amanda reflects that regular conversations and quizzes have been fine but she so misses being able to fully use one of her senses.

Resources

View this edition’s resources here.  They include links to:
• Our new Wellbeing at Work resources page
• A Diversity, Equality and Inclusion toolkit for leaders
• The updated page on the HSE’s website about protecting home workers
• Mental Health at Work toolkits for both those working from home and returning to the workplace
• A free guidebook looking at the relationship between nature, wellbeing and mental health

Quotations

“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.”
Elizabeth Edwards, Attorney, Author and Health Care Activist, (1949 – 2010)

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.”
Kahlil Gibran,Writer and Poet, (1883 – 1931)

5 articles from other sites which may be of interest

• Don’t let your partner’s work stress become your own – A managing yourself article which includes a five step plan.
• More than just staying strong, what tough times can teach us about resilience – Includes a helpful ‘baking a cake’ analogy and highlights 4 areas we can work on to build coping mechanisms.
• Dealing with stress in a resilient way – A leadership article with 4 practical tips from a stress and resilience expert.
• 3 ways to protect your mental health during – and after – Covid-19 – Also includes a Coping with Stress info-graphic from the World Health Organisation.
• How to offset job stress: 7 micro-chillers to practice at your desk – Short mindfulness practices that can help you be in control of your mind rather than the other way round.

… and finally …

We allegedly laugh 13 times a day, perhaps we should currently be upping that … so if you haven’t already found it, we enjoyed the Getty Museum’s challenge during lockdown.
They threw down the gauntlet for people to recreate their favourite artwork with 3 things (or people or pets) found lying around the house, top marks to so many for their creativity! Have a look here.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.  We are always delighted to hear from our readers, so if you would like to share your comments or suggestions with us, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: [email protected].