How do you help your peers manage their stress in high-pressured situations?
"I come from a high-stakes military environment. So I'm accustomed to talking it out when a member of the team becomes visibly stressed. Take a minute to talk them down, to objectify the situation, to validate their experience, and to recalibrate them to focus on the work that needs to get done, and remind them of the stakes. We're all committed, and we're all in it together. So call it out, validate the pressure, talk about the stakes, take a quick breather, get centered, and get to work."
Your interviewer is curious to what extent you support your teams, lead by example, and set a positive tone, even in the most stressful circumstances. How you answer could tell them more about your communication skills and your emotional intelligence. Someone who has highly developed communication skills also has strong diplomacy and conflict management skills, which can be instrumental in de-escalating coworkers who allow their stress to get the better of them. All it takes is one person to impact morale, positively or negatively, and your interviewer wants to know what kind of influence you will have.
One of BNSF's guiding principles is, "Protect the Wellbeing of Ourselves and Others. We ensure the physical and psychological safety of self and others. We practice empathy, include others, and value all." So, when answering this question, detail how you objectify and respond to stressful situations, rather than responding to the stress itself. Detail how you adapt their communication style to others while striving to aid in getting everyone to band together in a collaborative effort.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
It's one skill to be able to handle yourself professionally under stress, but it's another skill to be able to help your colleagues who are feeling pressure in the workplace.
Begin by acknowledging that the rail transport industry can be stressful, but you can handle it. If you come from the same industry, talk about the fact that you are familiar with the recurring pressures in this industry. If you are new to the rail transport industry, then mention everyday stressors that you face in your current job. Lastly, share with the interviewer what you would say or do to help a coworker cope with stress.
"I completely understand the pressure that comes with managing high-stakes safety and delivery issues in the workplace. If a teammate were becoming visibly stressed, I would recommend that they take a minute to gather themselves. It is surprising how many people are stress-wired in the workplace without realizing all they need is a quick breather. Sometimes a change of pace can fix so many feelings of stress and overwhelm."
"If a colleague were showing signs of poor stress management, I would tell them that talking it out is very helpful. If there is an issue bothering you in the workplace, it's wise to bring it up to a manager right away rather than letting feelings fester. I come from a high-stakes military environment, so I am confident that I will flawlessly transition these stress-management capabilities to the rail transport industry."
Marcie's Feedback
Good advice above! You should definitely start your response by stating that you're comfortable in stressful situations (and explain why) but that you can also understand occasionally feeling overwhelmed and are always happy to help a colleague. You could suggest to your coworker that they take a quick break, discuss how they feel with someone they trust or implement new tools to increase their organization and therefore feel less stressed. If they continue to express how stressed they are, mention that you would talk to your manager about it to make sure your coworker gets the help they need.
Anonymous Answer
Since we will be working in a high-stakes safety environment I would recommend my colleague speak with a manager in regards to the pressure they are feeling. Talking it out will help relieve pressure and ensure my colleague is working safely and efficiently.
Marcie's Feedback
Advising a colleague to talk about their issues with their manager is definitely a great idea. You might mention as well that you would follow up with your colleague a few days later to make sure that they are addressing the stress that they are experiencing so their problems don't get swept under the rug and remain unresolved. Good job!
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