One day, we might get a new member who has a background in psychology and is willing to post, but I've noticed we really have not discussed psychological stresses that people will experience, so I began brushing up on my military pysch training courses and will add a few threads, hoping that their will be a deeper discussion by the community. As such, I'd like to touch on the topic that is near and dear to my heart...Rumors.
I have been in management in the military, government and civilian world, nothing is more destructive than rumors. They start off completely harmless, a simple gesture because either a person feels they must generate some news to keep the conversation going or simply they are passing the said rumor around because they like to sit by the water cooler or coffee area. Either way, is the rumor fact or fiction? What impact will it have on the message receiver? Will this rumor impact not only the morale of the receiver, but when spread, what impact will it have on a team or unit's ability to carry out the mission or react to events? Their is a litany of stories and events that could be addressed in a very long thread and in fact if you have one that you would like to share...please do so, I think it is very healthy to learn from each other. To outline that discussion, please address the event, the impact it had on person or persons, outcomes and how was the rumor corrected/stopped/and lesson learned.
On a personal note: I will add just two example. 1). I was very young in the military, a rumor started that we were going to have an operational exercise that would last a week. Everyone was told to rig out there gear, but a rumor started that we were to be housed in hotels/motels. So a group decided not to pack their field gear (sleeping bag, pad, etc). In fact, the NCO in charge failed to do an inspection on the group and when we got to our destination, we immediately went to the field. This not only impacted the group, but also impacted the unit to carry out the field exercise/mission. Needless to say, their were severe repercussion of this event and a failure by leadership. The impact was far reaching because we not only had to do more field exercises, but our unit was marked not mission ready by the Inspector General's office. 2) Is more recent, involving me personally, I was notified that I would be moving to another teaching position in the district. I was not upset with the move itself, being in the military and government teaches you flexibility. However, I was annoyed how leadership notified me by a simple fill-in-the-blank form letter that was left open in an unsealed envelope and people knew of my departing before I did (no offense to HR people, but professionalism is not a forte for some), and another teacher has been running her mouth that I am being assigned to a school (even though it is not true). By 4th period, all my students are now affected (tears and anger) by about 90% of the students, who do care about teachers who set high standards and set good/fair rules. Yes, when you get jumped by me, you get a good measure of drill instruction infusion cool-aid. Needless to say, I had a nice face to face with said teacher and told her that she was very unprofessional. This rumor has spread like fire and has impacted most of the 150 8th graders that I teach. These rumor examples impacted the way we conduct business and will when SHTF. So it is important that we verify our facts before communicating them to others.
As a rule if SHTF:
1. Leadership is the key, announce to all not to overreact to rumors.
2. Verify and check your facts before announcing them.
3. Always strengthen communications ties to all that are involved (Let them talk, let them vent).
4. Be alert to people who are exhibiting emotional stress or negative behaviors
5. Seek professional help or institute what we call psychological buddy care...never leave them alone, get some hot chow/hydration into them, remove the stimulus or message that is disturbing or creating the problem, that might be difficult when SHTF, but possibly sleep/rest will ultimately help because fatigue is a contributing factor to reacting negatively to these types of events.
6. Leadership again must be vigillant to correcting those who have a habit of spreading rumors. Rumors are destructive and left unchecked will ultimately impact even the most strong willed person.
As I said, I am not well versed, these are simply tools that I use each day. If anyone else would like to add, please do.
I have been in management in the military, government and civilian world, nothing is more destructive than rumors. They start off completely harmless, a simple gesture because either a person feels they must generate some news to keep the conversation going or simply they are passing the said rumor around because they like to sit by the water cooler or coffee area. Either way, is the rumor fact or fiction? What impact will it have on the message receiver? Will this rumor impact not only the morale of the receiver, but when spread, what impact will it have on a team or unit's ability to carry out the mission or react to events? Their is a litany of stories and events that could be addressed in a very long thread and in fact if you have one that you would like to share...please do so, I think it is very healthy to learn from each other. To outline that discussion, please address the event, the impact it had on person or persons, outcomes and how was the rumor corrected/stopped/and lesson learned.
On a personal note: I will add just two example. 1). I was very young in the military, a rumor started that we were going to have an operational exercise that would last a week. Everyone was told to rig out there gear, but a rumor started that we were to be housed in hotels/motels. So a group decided not to pack their field gear (sleeping bag, pad, etc). In fact, the NCO in charge failed to do an inspection on the group and when we got to our destination, we immediately went to the field. This not only impacted the group, but also impacted the unit to carry out the field exercise/mission. Needless to say, their were severe repercussion of this event and a failure by leadership. The impact was far reaching because we not only had to do more field exercises, but our unit was marked not mission ready by the Inspector General's office. 2) Is more recent, involving me personally, I was notified that I would be moving to another teaching position in the district. I was not upset with the move itself, being in the military and government teaches you flexibility. However, I was annoyed how leadership notified me by a simple fill-in-the-blank form letter that was left open in an unsealed envelope and people knew of my departing before I did (no offense to HR people, but professionalism is not a forte for some), and another teacher has been running her mouth that I am being assigned to a school (even though it is not true). By 4th period, all my students are now affected (tears and anger) by about 90% of the students, who do care about teachers who set high standards and set good/fair rules. Yes, when you get jumped by me, you get a good measure of drill instruction infusion cool-aid. Needless to say, I had a nice face to face with said teacher and told her that she was very unprofessional. This rumor has spread like fire and has impacted most of the 150 8th graders that I teach. These rumor examples impacted the way we conduct business and will when SHTF. So it is important that we verify our facts before communicating them to others.
As a rule if SHTF:
1. Leadership is the key, announce to all not to overreact to rumors.
2. Verify and check your facts before announcing them.
3. Always strengthen communications ties to all that are involved (Let them talk, let them vent).
4. Be alert to people who are exhibiting emotional stress or negative behaviors
5. Seek professional help or institute what we call psychological buddy care...never leave them alone, get some hot chow/hydration into them, remove the stimulus or message that is disturbing or creating the problem, that might be difficult when SHTF, but possibly sleep/rest will ultimately help because fatigue is a contributing factor to reacting negatively to these types of events.
6. Leadership again must be vigillant to correcting those who have a habit of spreading rumors. Rumors are destructive and left unchecked will ultimately impact even the most strong willed person.
As I said, I am not well versed, these are simply tools that I use each day. If anyone else would like to add, please do.
