There’s a new term buzzing in the corporate world that may soon become a routine jargon. It’s called ‘Stress Bragging’ also known as ‘Busy Bragging’ and refers to the acts of some individuals who frequently boast to co-workers about their high stress level or workload to extract sympathy and convey a sense of importance.
The root of this might have been from an old parenting adage, ‘cry-baby gets the feed which suggests the most noticeable problems are the ones that get immediate attention.
While it may appear justifiable to share one’s professional challenges with trusted colleagues but when some take it to an elevated level of whining and overplay their busyness, they start glorifying the actual struggle and tend to alienate those around them.
Experts suggest that instead of constantly boasting about one’s stress, it is better to seek professional advice or identify the possibility of workload reduction.
Such rants about work stress when repeated can backfire, according to a new study by the University of Georgia – Terry College of Business. The study found that stress braggers are seen as less competent and likable by their co-workers. Talking excessively about one’s stress to seek validation can harm stress-braggarts’ reputation at work and are perceived negatively by their co-workers who may eventually display reluctancy in offering a helping hand.
It’s noticed that ‘stress bragging’ can be contagious and one’s stress spilling over on to others in the surroundings alienates them and causes burnout. Such transfer of negative vibes from a stress braggart can directly result in high stress even for a healthy individual leading to palpable peer resentment.
While it’s likely that most of us might have confided with co-workers about our frazzled mental state at some point, care should be taken that stress is not some kind of achievement to boast about or flaunt as a ‘badge of honour.’
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So, what should one do? Experts suggest that instead of constantly boasting about one’s stress, it is better to seek professional advice or identify the possibility of workload reduction.
Some also argue that ‘stress bragging’ is used as a suave ploy by employees to demonstrate their value and excessive dedication to work but the flipside is it could lead to creating a dangerous ‘cry wolf scenario potentially silencing genuine calls for help when needed, anytime in the future.
In conclusion, a key takeaway for all is to think twice before boasting about their heavy workload, often excessively laced with a negative emotion like stress, rendering the workplace unacceptably toxic.
(Views expressed here are personal)
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