Just Listen

28

THE HUMAN EXPLOSION

Every little thing counts in a crisis.—JAWAHARLAL NEHRU, FIRST PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA AFTER ITS INDEPENDENCE

SCENARIO: I work in a high-pressure financial business where millions of dollars are on the line every day. To add to the pressure-cooker atmosphere at our office, management is sending many of our jobs offshore. People are really stressed out and scared about losing their jobs and lots of them seem to be on a hair trigger. Frankly, I think there’s the potential for one of those “disgruntled employee goes berserk” scenarios, and I’m not sure how I’d handle it.

You’re not alone. These days any one of us—manager, CEO, doctor, teacher, attorney—can be a target for a person who reaches the breaking point and totally ...