Stress and Turmoil within the Organization

Stress and Turmoil within the Organization

Question 1: What problem are you experiencing within the organization, and how is this problem affecting (the performance of) your organization?

The organization is experiencing stress and turmoil, resulting in decreased productivity, a poor work atmosphere, and an increase in errors. This causes frustration among employees and management, higher costs due to inefficiencies, and increased employee turnover.

Note - This refers to the consequences of risks that have materialized. Examples include: Cash flow problems - Lower revenue - Higher costs - Inadequate staffing - Inventory issues - Low customer satisfaction - Customer complaints - Customer attrition.

Question 2: Where in the organization or process are the problems occurring, and who is directly impacted?

Stress and turmoil are felt throughout the organization, but the greatest impact is on:

• HR: Increased absenteeism and challenges in retaining employees.
• Operations: Mistakes and delays in processes.
• Management: Lack of oversight and unclear priorities.
• Finance: Higher costs and lower productivity, putting pressure on margins.

Note - Consider responsibility areas such as finance, marketing, sales, IT, HR, procurement, core processes, investments, quality, compliance, and care.

Question 3: What exactly is happening within or to the organization that is causing the problem?

Risk events contributing to stress and turmoil may include:

• Unclear expectations and priorities for employees.
• Excessive workloads due to poor task distribution or inefficiencies.
• Poor communication within and between departments.
• Lack of leadership and direction from management.

Note - This refers to risks such as: Delayed customer payments affecting timely bill settlements - Logistical process disruptions - Competitors acquiring customers - Inadequate staffing.

Question 4: Is the root cause of the risk internal or external to the organization?

The root causes are largely internal:

• Lack of clear structure and focus.
• Insufficient tools and systems to facilitate work.
• Unrealistic planning and deadlines.

External factors, such as market or economic pressures, may play a secondary role, but internal factors are typically the primary drivers.

Question 5: What is the underlying cause of the risk?

The underlying causes may include:

• No clear ambition and priorities within the organization, leading to confusion and fragmentation.
• Inefficiencies in processes, increasing workload.
• Insufficient attention to employee well-being and development.
• Lack of a culture of continuous improvement, causing problems to persist.

Note - Examples include: Sales teams selling products/services that cannot be delivered to customers, leading to dissatisfaction and delayed payments - Outdated IT systems - Failing to meet customer commitments - Negative word-of-mouth - Increased competition for attracting and retaining talent.

Solutions via ICR

Solution Path 1: Immediate Action

An emergency response:

• Identify and prioritize critical tasks to reduce workload.
• Implement a communication plan to clarify expectations and responsibilities.
• Provide immediate support to employees, such as coaching or stress management programs.
• Review and adjust schedules and deadlines to make them more realistic.

Solution Path 2: Sustainable Solution

A long-term approach:

• Establish ICR objectives and focus on organizational alignment to create structure and focus.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring processes are regularly evaluated and optimized.
• Implement better HR strategies, such as task allocation, leadership training, and employee satisfaction surveys.
• Develop ICR growth circle Care focused on well-being and efficiency to reduce stress structurally.

What Are the Benefits?

Immediate Action

A quick reduction in stress through improved clarity and better-managed workloads.

Sustainable Solution

A work environment with greater calm, balance, and structure, leading to higher productivity, lower turnover, and increased employee satisfaction. This creates more stability and resilience within the organization.

Move to other common problems.