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Is this what you really mean when you tell your team “to chill”?

It’s TGIF once again - which means, it’s (almost) time to relax for the weekend. On that note, Human Resources has spoken to managers across industries on what they personally mean when they ask their team “to chill”.

Whether it's to diffuse a stressful situation at work or strike a work-life balance, here are their responses. 

When we encounter an issue, to take a step back and first seek a solution, rather than panicking around fearing the consequences.

- Jimmy Tan, vice president, head - performance, rewards and organisational design, Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia


 

When I tell my colleagues to chill, it usually means we have everything under control. Even if there are obstacles along the way, we will surmount them regardless. This will only help them always be calm and steady in the face of adversity.

- Jose Raymond, managing director, SPIN


 

While I’ve never actually asked the team ‘to chill’, I probably have said ‘deep breaths’ before. In that case, whenever I have a situation where staff are panicking; I ask them to try and step back from the situation and think about what they have direct control over.

- Soren Beaulieu, publisher, Marketing Magazine Singapore


 

When I ask my team to chill, I mean not to get overly emotional and cloud rational/logical thinking. Or, the frustration we are facing is part and parcel of the job - so learn to manage it, be positive instead of having it spiral you down with negativity.

- Noah Lim, vice president, Schneider Electric


 

We do not want any unnecessary drama, let’s take a step back and get back to basics. We work as a team, and we will solve this as a team.

- Giulio D’Erme, CEO, CulinaryOn Singapore


 

I use 'to chill' when the stress of the team is climbing up. I want them to feel safe as it's a vocabulary that I would use more between friends. As a leader, I want them to know that I am in control of the situation and that is time for me to take over the lead, and that we will be fine. 

- Yoan Kamalski, co-founder, hmlet


 

Work and life are hard to balance at the best of times, so it is extra important that we enjoy down time when possible, especially as a team.

- Euan Wilmshurst, CEO and market leader, Singapore, Burson-Marsteller


 Get the facts before you start panicking!

- Aditi Sharma Kalra, regional editor, Human Resources magazine
Photo / 123RF

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