The Rise of the Stress Arc

Abstract

To date, in the United States, and across the world, business leaders and their respective employees continue to struggle against the scope of pernicious disaster phenomena and invasive “black swan” events that have not only impacted their physical lives, but also their psychological health. This chapter looks at efficacious practices borrowed from the discipline of psychology and preventative programming measures from the world of healthcare which continuously practices for a variety of crisis-scale situations. As well, research herein will help deepen the understanding of VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) environments and the torrential onslaught of rapid onset of change (ROC) circumstances that often accompany crisis situations. The primary focus regards the Stress Arc as a tool with tremendous prospects for helping reorient leaders and employees during crises. And finally, a look at PPEs (psychological performance enhancement) and how they may shape the future when it comes to a crisis.