How Agile Business Practices Can Help Your Employees Manage Their Stress

In the business operations, business analyst, and information technology fields, stress comes with the job. As pointed out in a recent article in Forbes:
Work has always been stressful for some, but since the Covid-19 pandemic changed many of the work environments and processes that people were used to, it's become stressful for most. Adjusting to remote work environments is a challenge for many people, and they're experiencing heightened levels of stress due to this and several other factors.
Stress can have an even stronger manifestation with remote workers who can tend to feel isolated. But how can employers and employees work together to manage workplace stress? It might not be as hard as you think.
 
In this post, you’ll learn three simple steps to create a less stressful workplace:
  • Provide agile—bite-size, flexible goals
  • Provide an open-door policy to discuss project timelines and due dates frequently
  • Give your employees a break from work and encourage healthy work-lifestyle habits
Agile is a business term commonly used in information technology and software development. But agile is a business methodology that should be adopted across the entire business enterprise.
 
An agile business strategy breaks business operations tasks and timelines into manageable, measurable pieces. These bite-sized tasks are frequently analyzed by all stakeholders and adjusted if necessary.
 
The agile business model ensures that all stakeholders are aware of any scheduling or scope changes. It also provides task owners with manageable, realistic deadlines.
 
Agile works great for business analysts, operations personnel, and IT staff, especially when an open door policy with management is also in place.
 
If task owners have questions or concerns that go beyond the boundaries of the project team, they should always feel comfortable approaching management directly. However, this will be rare in a well-managed agile business environment.
 
Manageable task sizes, scopes, deadlines, and team awareness will result in significantly lower stress levels in your workforce. Lower stress levels mean increased employee satisfaction, better retention, and higher levels of personal accountability. Also, make sure you show your employees how much you appreciate them from time to time.
 
Last but not least, always promote a healthy workplace and corporate culture.
 
Encourage and promote a corporate environment that supports healthy diet and exercise practices. Provide and promote access to healthy snacks and on-the-job exercise opportunities, especially walks. Encourage employees to clear their heads and healthily get their blood pumping by taking a 20-minute walk at least once a day.
 
You’ll be amazed at the improved satisfaction and productivity of your agile, healthy workforce.
 
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