Transforming Workplace Ghost Carriers into Grief Warriors
Thought you might find this essay thought-provoking. Thanks. Wasn't sure where to post.
Mark Gorkin
Strengthening Employee Health and Productivity through Workplace Griefbusting
Transforming Workplace Ghost Carriers into Grief Warriors
Once again I’m reminded of how lingering grief sits heavy on many people’s minds and bodies, hearts and souls; and yet this hulking ghost is often barely recognized in a “TNT” – “Time, Numbers, & Technology” – driven and distracted world. Actually, this psychic specter has the potential to both trigger volatility and be emotionally draining; its energy-consuming presence not only flies under our psychological radar but, not surprisingly, often escapes rational understanding. Limited awareness has definite consequences for our physical and emotional well-being, as well as for the health and harmony of our essential social groups and systems – for example, a capacity to form and sustain effective “hi task-hi touch-hi tolerance” relationships, especially vital in today’s diverse workplace. Preoccupying ghost-like grief, especially if outside conscious awareness, invariably contaminates the ability to manage conflict constructively with authority figures and colleagues as well as customers. Also, people who are “ghost carriers” often become “stress carriers” and “time wasters,” distracting themselves by getting into other people’s business. Persistent grief will eventually compromise productive performance and team cooperation-coordination. (And as a former Stress and Violence Prevention Consultant with the USPS, my gut and experience tells me that a good percentage of workers who “go postal” are likely grappling with inner demons and ghosts.) How can organizations and companies address this disruptive phantom? Can you do early detection through preventive orientation? Maybe it’s time for a Griefbuster to walk your office halls, work floors, and warehouses or, at least, to supplement an EAP or Employee Wellness Program.
Tags: Counseling, Grief, Loss
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GriefbustingEssay.doc, 77 KB
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Marilyn on -
I have many times thought there should be individuals whose jobs it is to focus on employee wellness. There is a lot of talk about it, but instead they assign it as a collateral duty and usually to someone that doesn't have time or inclination to do anything. I would love the job myself since I take it on myself to try to keep people active and healthy.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Gorkin on -
Thanks, Marilyn, for your thoughtful comment. I believe a meaningful program on grief ghost's impact on health and productivity is vital. Perhaps we could develop a co-led training program on "Workplace Griefbusting: Transforming Ghost Carriers into Grief Warriors" that you would then be able to develop further and lead on an ongoing basis. If you wish to explore this idea further, please email stressdoc@aol.com. Best wishes and good adventures,
Mark Gorkin, the Stress Doc
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Permalink Reply by Andy Lowenthal on -
Very thought-provoking, Mark. It seems we have a natural aversion to most forms of "preventative medicine" in this country, though pieces like this do help move the needle a bit. In an era where ROI is calculated for everything (imperfectly, by the way), I wonder how we might convince the public of the intrinsic value of our public sector workforce's wellbeing -- 2.1 million federal employees is no small number. Patterns in mental health among that group are surely reflective of the larger American population.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Gorkin on
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Thanks for your thoughtful reply, Andy. I like your analogy to preventive medicine. Yes, I'd like to see the field of Wellness more systematically and normatively incorporate the concept of grief in all sectors of work and other public institutions.
I'm always writing articles on stress, communications, change, loss, team building, and creativity. If you'd like to receive my free newsletter, just email stressdoc@aol.com. To good adventures.
Mark Gorkin
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