Page 111 - An Indispensible Resource for Being a Credible Activist

Stress tolerance. Do whatever you can to manage stress well. Know what all of your
options are for stress release both at work and at home. Let your support system
know that you may need them more than usual now.
Impulse control. This is very important right now, especially if your baseline scores
in impulse control are among your lowest. Practice various methods of improving
impulse control by counting to five before responding, waiting several hours before
sending e-mails (if possible), and having trusted confidants read any memos before
you send them.
Reality testing. This is important for stressful times. It can become too easy to jump
to conclusions without having complete information. Don’t get all worked up over
something that may be nothing. Try not to react to incomplete information unless
you’re relatively certain what it means.
Problem-solving abilities. Practice problem-solving within your situation. Look for
credible training seminars, research, articles, books, studies, support groups,
listserves, Web sites, and so on that address what you’re going through. You may
find some good ideas for your situation from these sources, so use them!
Optimism. It is important that optimism be grounded in reality; otherwise, it’s just
delusion. Try to look at your situation as clearly and realistically as possible. Make
a list of all of your options. Consider that there may be unknown silver linings to
any outcome whether you’re aware of what those are now or not.
Happiness. Know your baseline score for happiness so you can gauge whether or not
you’re getting depressed and need more help than usual. Therapists can be extremely
helpful during times like these, as can coaches and NVC practice groups and classes.

It is completely natural to feel fear (or even dread) before raising compliance issues at
work, and that is why at times it makes sense to have as many people as possible write and
sign the same or similar memos. There is strength in numbers. There is also enormous
strength in researching all of your options, double-checking your facts, getting support from
credible resources, and putting forth your recommendations for remediating serious non-
compliance issues. You may or may not wind up on the cover of Time magazine for having
averted a crisis for your company and you may or may not be named Employee of the
Month; however, you will be able to sleep better at night knowing you did your job ethically
and properly. Moreover, you may gain more respect from your leadership and/or your col-
leagues in having addressed serious issues in a professional, gracious, and direct manner.

94 The H R Toolkit