Work Smart to Promote Sustainable Practice

Upper management wants to see higher numbers and performance. An employee you have talked with several times continues to disrupt staff functioning. You see another employee stuffing office supplies in his bag. An unhappy client storms into the office wanting to air grievances. Dealing with such constant challenges takes a toll, yet there are a number of things you can do to increase your ability to deal with difficult situations and decrease the stress.

My research focused on ethics education and professional development, gathered numerous ideas from very experienced leaders across industries on what helps professionals deal with moral dilemmas and the pressures put on individuals in business.

Three of the activities often talked about include:

• Know what is important to you. Write down personal values, beliefs, purpose statement, and goals. Awareness of such important life components can provide a valuable guide when dealing with tough situations.

• Take continuing education opportunities focused on what many consider ‘softer’ skills such as ethics, self-awareness, leadership strategies, and communication. This kind of learning encourages growth in how we think and increases our ability to develop different ways to respond to challenges.

• Participate in discussion groups with colleagues in a safe setting or meet with a trusted mentor to talk about difficult situations. Such discussions can promote sharing of wisdom, increased rational thinking, and greater perspective.

Clearly there are many demands on professionals that can lead to burnout and other serious problems. Intentional professional development focused on helping you deal with moral dilemmas and difficult situations can promote a more sustainable career. In the long run, this is just as important as keeping up on the latest technology.