Table of Contents
If the employee tells you they have social anxiety, there are several things you can do to be a supportive manager.
- Be their champion.
- Set clear roles and expectations.
- Help them manage their perfectionism.
- Remind them how valuable they are.
Here’s her basic advice on how to overcome social anxiety:
- Challenge your Inner Critic.
- Let go of safety behaviors.
- Realize it gets better after the freak out period.
- You don’t have to be smoothest person in the room.
- Accept the shenanigans of your anxious body.
- You’ll feel less anxious by living your life.
Here are five ways you can actually help them:
- Work with their emotions. The key thing to remember is that anxiety is not a rational disorder.
- Focus on their feelings. Don’t ask why the person is feeling anxious.
- Use distraction techniques.
- Be patient.
- And finally, be funny!
What to do if you have social anxiety at work?
If you continue to struggle with social anxiety at work, consider visiting a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders. Social anxiety disorder is a mental illness that requires professional intervention for a full recovery. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback!
Why am I so anxious about my new job?
If you are reentering the workplace after a short or prolonged absence at reduced compensation this could be adding to your anxiety as well. Whatever the reasons, here are a few strategies for overcoming anxiety related to your job:
How can I stop being scared of my new job?
Be sure to take care of yourself. Eating 3 donuts and 2 gigantic cups of coffee before you go to work will not make the anxiety you feel about your job any easier. Consider taking a short walk during your lunch hour if feasible; look into incorporating other stress reduction strategies into your daily activities. Refute your negative thoughts.
Improving your nonverbal communication skills is another area in which you can employ self-help strategies if you live with social anxiety. Most people with social anxiety tend to adopt a “closed-off” stance; you may do this without even realizing it.