ABSTRACT
Pressure is motivating. Stress is debilitating. Pressure is something which good managers apply to themselves and their staff in order to motivate them and to achieve results. Effective application of pressure (whilst watching carefully for signs of stress), will ensure more effective management of resources and an institution which is progressive rather than regressive. However, there is a fine line between pressure and stress and, whilst the manager should be watching carefully to ensure that the one does not become the other in his/her subordinates, he/she should also have a weather eye on his/her own workload with a view to ensuring that it is confined to a motivating element of pressure rather than a debilitating downward spiral of stress. In many cases it is easier to recognise the signs of stress than it is to identify those of pressure. Pressure has an uplifting affect and is personified by high morale and the achievement of targets. Stress has rather insidious symptoms which include:
1 Lowering of performance. A person who had previously been able to carry out his/her duties suddenly seems to have the weight of the world on his/her shoulders. Things are not done and excuses are constantly being made.
