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DURING my early years as a journalist, I was given the opportunity to work as a general assignment reporter for NBC's powerful 50,000-watt radio station in Chicago. The job catapulted me into broadcasting's big leagues, and I was determined to work hard, think smart, and wow everybody with my excellent reporting skills.
One of my first assignments was a "breaking" news story of a pleasure boat sinking in a storm on Lake Michigan. Several passengers drowned. The Coast Guard dramatically rescued the rest. I raced to the scene where a Coast Guard cutter was bringing survivors ashore, interviewed anyone who would talk to me, then hurried back to the station to get the story on the air as quickly as possible.
My editor, a crusty fellow with more than 20 years at NBC, had a reputation for making the lives of on-air staffers as miserable as possible—especially the women. Humiliation and intimidation were his weapons of choice.
As I scrambled to finish my report for the fast-approaching newscast, he seized on the fact I'd failed—in my rush to file the story—to get the Coast Guard spokesman's first name. It was a careless error on my part, but not one that merited what happened next.
The editor stood in the middle of the newsroom in front of about a dozen people and began to shout insults at me in the ugliest display of meanness I'd ever experienced. I stood facing him like a deer caught in the headlights and silently prayed, Dear God, don't let me cry. Finally, he turned and stalked out of the newsroom.
I was so stunned, I started to shake. As I walked into a side office to privately regain my composure, I thought, with deep resignation, This is just part of the job. Guess I'll have to pray and "hang in there" until this passes.
Now, with the hindsight of 35 years in the marketplace, I've learned no one has a "perfect" job. But I've also discovered—the hard way—that there are alternate ways to handle the inevitable workplace conflicts or stresses we all encounter. The surprising news is that the five problem-solving tips below don't depend on anyone's cooperation but your own!
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Identify the Real Problem: Is It You?
Much as I hate to admit it, some job stress is self-inflicted. My first memory of this was a situation that began quite innocently.
I clipped out a business-related magazine article to give to my boss. I'd run across the article the night before while thumbing through a magazine for relaxation. He was delighted and urged me to continue to pass along anything I thought might be useful. His praise felt so good, I started scanning magazines I never would have read, searching for more articles. They were such a hit, he decided the practice should be formalized into a daily briefing book distributed to senior staff.
What started as a casual gesture became a major project on top of my regular duties. No one offered to help, and I didn't ask for any. I relished the affirmation and couldn't bear the thought of handing it off to someone else. That didn't stop me, however, from harboring anger and resentment over the added work.
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