A new study from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business has found that people who brag about their stress levels are actually seen as less competent and less likable by their co-workers. Lead author of the study, Jessica Rodell, suggests that when individuals talk about their stress levels in an effort to prove their worth or hard work, it often backfires. In an initial survey, participants rated a stress-bragging colleague as significantly less likable and competent compared to someone who discussed work stress in a different manner or simply talked about a positive experience like a conference.
Further research conducted by Rodell’s team found that employees who work with stress braggarts often reported higher levels of personal stress and burnout. The perception created by bragging about stress is that chronic high-stress levels are expected and normal within the work culture. This can lead to a contagious effect where one individual’s stress spills over onto their co-workers, causing them to feel more stressed and ultimately leading to higher burnout or withdrawal from their work.
Interestingly, the study also found that simply discussing stress levels in passing or being perceived as stressed did not generate the same negative response from co-workers and did not create additional stress for them. In fact, individuals who were perceived as stressed were actually seen as more competent by their peers. This suggests that there is a fine line between discussing stress in a healthy way and bragging about it as if it were a badge of honor.
The key takeaway from this research is that while it is okay to acknowledge and discuss stress with the right confidant, bragging about stress is not a behavior that should be encouraged. Rodell suggests that managers should also be aware of this behavior and its potential impact on the workplace. Stress bragging not only harms the individual engaging in the behavior but can also have broader implications for the overall work environment.
Overall, the study highlights the importance of being mindful of how one discusses stress in the workplace. Instead of viewing stress as a badge of honor, individuals should consider the impact their words may have on their co-workers and seek healthier ways to manage and communicate about stress. Managers, in particular, should be vigilant in addressing stress bragging to prevent it from causing stress and burnout among their employees.