Nearly 75% of Americans say work is a major stressor, a jump from 59% in 2006, according to the American Psychological Association (Entrepreneur magazine, Oct. 2008).  Over 50% of responents further said this stress reduced their productivity, a cost to American business of an estimated $300 billion from absenteeism, lost productivity, turnover, and medical costs.

Many forward thinking organizations are fighting this problem head-on by changing how they manage their workforce, focusing on wellness programs and initiatives from daily yoga breaks to telecommuting to quiet rooms where people can unwind. 

Most importantly, organizations are beginning to realize that stress is significantly reduced when employees have a clear understanding of what is expected of them at work.  They have clearly defined goals and objectives, and clearly outlined metrics to measure performance.  These workers also receive regularly scheduled and continuous feedback on progress, and support and coaching to improve performance.

Where does your organization fit into this perspective?  If it has problems measuring up, check out Positioning Success, which can be ordered from our Home Page.