Volume 4, Number 3 Winter, 2000
Trying To Stay Balanced
(or “How To Avoid WACM”)
By
Tony Palmeri, Chair
Department of Communication
In September
I began my fourth year as Chair of the department of communication. Chairing any department is a challenge, but
as the department of communication houses 40 faculty and staff in 4 areas (Theater, Speech
Communication, Radio/TV/Film, Communicative Disorders), being chair can sometimes be
overwhelming
What makes
the Chair’s job stressful struck me some time ago while watching public television. Author and “stress humorist” Loretta
LaRoche told her audience that humans tend to respond to stressful situations in four
negative ways: whining, awfulizing, catastrophizing, and moaning (WACM). In my opinion, what ignites WACM in academia are
the same things that ignite it in most workplaces: real or imagined slights, placing too
much stock in gossip and rumors, and frustration with the dehumanizing aspects of
bureaucracy. Negative comments on an
annual review, for example, even if sandwiched in between a mountain of accolades, can be
enough to send some individuals into a state reminiscent of the late New York
Yankees’ manager Billy Martin. Billy
would frequently storm out of the dugout in a rage, scream at the umpire, and then kick
dirt on him. True, academics will
usually reveal aggression in a more “passive” way (stinging e-mails are now a
favorite), but the net effect on the target is the same as if s/he had been screamed at or
had dirt kicked in the face.
As LaRoche
described the characteristics of whiners, awfulizers, catastrophizers, and moaners
(WACMers), I realized that a Chairperson is a chief target for such folks. Worse, because the Chair occupies a middle
level between students and staff on one side and upper administration on the other, s/he
is often the target of WACMers from below and from above.
When under a steady barrage of WACM from all sides, a chair can easily fall him or
herself into a debilitating WACMer state.
Now I am not
saying that we should never whine, or that we should always avoid awfulizing, or that
nothing is ever catastrophic or worth moaning about.
What I am saying is that an individual in the WACM mode is “off balance.” To avoid WACM temptations, it is vital that
during the course of a day a Chair (or anyone else, for that matter) seek out mental
stimulation that reminds him or her “why we are here” and contributes to a more
balanced perspective on the daily irritants that we face.
In the remainder of this essay I want to expand briefly on “why we are
here” and then discuss three mental stimulants I have found helpful.
The
Select Mission of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (p. iii in the Faculty and Academic Staff Handbook) provides
guidance as to why we are here. I like the
final part: “To develop and offer
programs and services responding to the needs of the people, institutions, and communities
which we serve.” How can I respond to
such needs if I am in a constant WACM state of mind?
Responding to the needs of people requires the ability to develop trusting
relationships with them. When I am off
balance or “WACMed Out,” I am not in a position to experience the joys of such
relationships and/or the pleasure of developing programs and services. Now let me discuss three things that help me to
stay balanced and focused on the mission: “Commentary,”
The Communication Thought for the Week, and The Tao
Of Leadership.
“Commentary,”
is a public affairs television talk show produced on campus. I co-host the program with Jim Mather, former
Mayor of Oshkosh. As my professional
area of scholarship is Rhetoric and Public Address with an emphasis on political
communication, working on Commentary exposes me to the “real world” of political
communication. In order to produce an
interesting and provocative program, I have to research and keep up to date on issues
facing the community and nation, and I must also establish relationships with a
significant number of individuals outside of the university. These two requirements of making a successful
program—research and establishing relationships—have helped minimize my own WACM
tendencies. Additionally, I spend 15 minutes per day or more updating the Commentary web
site (http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/palmeri/Comment.htm), an activity that guarantees
that for at least part of the day I will have my mind on matters not related to the
workplace.
Another
“balancing” activity for me is the “Communication Thought For The
Week.” Since 1997, I have every
week during the fall and spring semesters posted on the department’s e-mail
discussion list a “thought” related to issues in the field. The mere act of searching for the thoughts has
proven to be an invigorating and stimulating activity in that I am compelled to stay
engaged in my field and communicate in a meaningful way with my colleagues. On occasion, the department has had some
engaging e-mail discussion sparked by a thought.
The thoughts for the week are archived at
http://www.uwosh.edu/communication/tftw.htm
A few years
ago I read an interview with Phil Jackson, one of the most successful coaches in the
history of the National Basketball Association.
In the interview, Jackson said that a major influence on his life was John
Heider’s book The Tao of Leadership. I happened to find the book at the Starseed
Shop on Main Street in Oshkosh. I’ve
never been a fan of modern adaptations of ancient wisdom, but in this case I must say that
Heider’s application of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te
Ching to contemporary leadership situations is inspiring. Almost every passage in the book’s
brief 81 chapters has some relevance for leaders.
I now find myself placing a passage at the end of a list of announcements I provide
department members at our monthly meetings. Heider
even has good advice for dealing with an angry WACMer:
“The person who initiates the attack is off center and easily thrown. Even so, have respect for any attacker. Never surrender your compassion or use your skill
to harm another needlessly . . . In any event, the more conscious force will win.”
A university
can be such an all-encompassing space that it literally becomes a person’s entire
life. If that should happen, then no
amount of mental stimulation can help a person to achieve balance. The advice I’ve provided in this essay
is not a substitute for having a life outside of academia that includes meaningful
relationships with family and friends.
Tony Palmeri is chair of the department of communication and President of the Faculty Senate for the 2000-2001 academic year.
Test your Knowledge of Employee
Assistance Services.
True or
False
1.
You can be seen for five problem solving
consultations in EAP.
2.
Information about your EAP visit is not
available to Human Resources.
3.
Your supervisor will know about your EAP
visit.
4.
There are exceptions to confidentiality.
5.
Evening hours are available for you to see an
EAP staff member.
6.
Family members are eligible for EAP service.
7. You have to be pretty troubled to go to EAP.
8.
A three-year study of a large corporations
showed that 60% of employee absences were due to psychological problems.
9.
You have access to a tape of almost any Brown
Bag Seminar offered during the past three years.
10. If a supervisor says I should go to EAP, I have to go or
I’ll lose my job.
(AnswersJ
1.
True. EAP will see employees for up to five
sessions without charge.
2.
True. The fact that you made a visit to EAP, as
well as what you discussed remains confidential within state and federal guidelines. A
visit to EAP does not jeopardize your promotional ability or become a part of your work
history. A copy of the EAP Confidentiality
Policy is available for anyone who would like a copy.
3.
False. At
times it might be in your best interest for YOU to tell your supervisor that you made a
visit to EAP. However, whether or not you tell your supervisor is entirely up to you. EAP staff at not at liberty to talk with your
supervisor about your visit without your written authorization.
4.
True. There
may be an exception to confidentiality in extreme instances such as when your safety or
someone else is threatened, in the case of child neglect or abuse or court orders.
5.
True. The
EA Office offers appointments on Monday and Tuesday evenings during the academic year.
6. True. Family members are eligible for EAP assessment and
referral when seen with the university employee. Since
partner and spousal problems effect the employee, a joint consultation may be beneficial
to both individuals.
7. False. EAPs
central focus is on prevention and wellness. EAP sees people for the kinds of ordinary
concerns we all have, how to meet new people, grieving, taking care of older parents,
writer’s block, stress. When small
problems are ignored, they can balloon in to more severe problems. EAP can help you
address those as well.
8. True. Source:
American Psychological Association: “The Costs of Failing to Provide Appropriate
Mental Health Care.”
9. True. EAP
keeps a tape library of all Brown Bag Seminars so if you’d like to sign a tape out,
stop by and do so.
10. False.
When your supervisor suggests EAP as a
resource, you have the option to come to EAP. Consultations are voluntary and do
not affect your job security. EAP is a
resource to help you. You may decide to make
use of other resources. However, your
supervisor will require you to meet job performance expectations. Participants being seen
in EAP should not expect special privileges or exceptions to normal rules or performance
standards.
Men and women think about their extra poundage in different ways reports the New York Times Science Section (September 12, 2000- D8). A survey suggests that women see their fat as a character flaw and men do not account it to their fault but rather to "darn business lunches.” The survey was conducted by the Calorie Control Council an association of manufacturers of low-fat or low-calorie foods. Women are twice as likely to link eating to emotional needs. Almost half of the women in the survey were more likely to claim appearance as a central motivation to diet, compared to about a third of the men.
News on treatment of depression
“Exercise Found Effective against Depression”
A study released from Duke University Medical Center found that exercise alone, or exercise in combination with the drug Zoloft, was equally as effective as Zoloft alone against major depression disorders. Furthermore: “Exercisers who had been in remission after four moths were far less likely to see their depression return after 10 months, compared with people taking the drug or a combination therapy …” New York Times Science. 10/10/00, D12.
Help YourSelf:
Chancellor Wells has recommended two
books in his talks on campus.
·
Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s
Changes. William Bridges. Perseus Books. 1980.
·
Managing Transitions: Making the Most of
Change. Wiliam Bridges. Perseus Book. 1991.
They are now available on a sign-out basis through the Employee
Assistance Program Self-help library.
EAP Update invites comments related to EAP articles of interest to employees, or relevant to the University community. Space limitations may prevent all letters from being published, however, every effort will be made to accommodate submissions. Letters must be constructive, civil, and present a serious discussion of your point of view and suggestions. EAP staff retain the sole right to edit provocative, inflammatory, and devaluing usage or refuse publication that would fuel controversy in a counterproductive manner. Submit letters of 250 words or less in Microsoft Word to Barbour@uwosh.edu or by campus mail to 201 Dempsey Hall. Anonymous letters will not be published.
For Supervisors, Department Chairs, Team Leaders and Directors. “What to do When … An Employee is Depressed”
Susan Barbour, Ed.D.
Reeve 219
Many employees are effected my mild to severe depression. This program will outline prevalence and signs of depression in the workplace and discuss issues that chairs and supervisors meet when employees are depressed. Will discuss ways to help the employee access assistance.
February 16, 2001. Noon – 1:00
Choosing and Using Herbal and Vitamin
Supplements for Health and Vitality
Fran Nelson, Ph.D.
Reeve 219
This program will review the best choices in the herbal, vitamin and supplement market to prevent illness, promote great health and vitality and treat chronic illness. Information on quality, price, safety and access will be included as well as resources for further study.
March 28, 2000. Noon – 1:00PM
Ten Days In Beijing
Paula Hayford,
Reeve Union 219
Visit the delightful city of Beijing through a slide presentation.
Paula will enhance her presentation by including how Traditional Chinese philosophy
permeates the entire culture and structures of one of China's most beautiful cities.
April
12th, 2001 at Noon-1:00PM.
Reeve Union 220
This brown bag will consider the "top ten myths" of exercise and discuss
the merits and misconceptions of various gismos, gadgets and exercise
fads. There are cheap, effective ways to loss weight, build
cardiovascular fitness, improve muscle tone and build muscle strength and endurance. Recommendations and approaches to improving general fitness will be outlined.