Reference no: EM132886343

The Strategic Lens-STRESS Case Questions:

Stress is an important component of organizational life. Although some stress has positive effect on people's behavior, much stress is dysfunctional. Stress affects everyone in the organization-top executives, middle and lower managers and associates at all levels. All of these individuals represent human capital to an organization. We know that human capital is important because it represents much of the knowledge and skill in an organization and affects task performance. effective task performance and problem-solving are necessary for an organization to gain and hold a competitive advantage, which in turn results in positive outcomes for the organization and and the stakeholders. However, dysfunctional stress prevents associates and managers from fully utilizing their knowledge and applying it in their jobs. When this occurs, their productivity suffers and the organizational performance is harmed. If many associates and managers are overstressed, the organization may suffer millions of dollars in extra cost and lower profits. In short, top executives who want the strategies they develop to be successfully implemented must manage the stress in their organizations. Overall, manager's ability to prevent stress and help associates cope with the stress they experience will have a major impact on the performance of the individuals and the organization itself.

1. How can good stress be distinguished from bad stress? How much stress is too much stress?

2. How can managing stress in an organization contribute to improve strategy implementation and organizational performance?