Managing Stress and Communication increasingly Important for Effective Whistleblowing

After training on time management and priorities, a new workshop "Managing Stress and Assertive Communication" was held in the framework of the project activities.

World research confirms that whistleblowers are at considerable risk from consequences of stress. Likewise, because of simultaneously communication with whistleblowers and other employees in organizations whose interests can often be opposing, authorized persons who are supposed to receive information related to whistleblowing are also exposed to stress.

Therefore, within the workshop held on 28 February 2020 in Belgrade, special attention was paid to sources of stress and strategy for combating stress and stress management. Furthermore, participants practiced principles of communication with key stakeholders and within the team.

Although this type of skill is not measurable, it reflects the quality of inter-human relations and business productivity. During process of drafting of annual analysis of the Law on protection of whistleblowers, there was a need for those workshops due to high burden of these persons with several other regular obligations.

The workshop was attended by authorized persons from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Anti-corruption Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Department of Defence.

What is assertive communication?
Assertivity is a style of communication that allows us to express our attitudes, needs, desires and feelings so as not to harm the feelings or the rights of others. The characteristic of this communication is a compromise between respect of the needs of others, but also their own rights. This compromise is not on any damages, but it implies a clear and open display of its position, but without disparing or attacking the attitudes and needs of other people. People who perform from this style of communication do not put their needs and desires above or below the needs and desires of other people. When it comes to non-verbal communication, the assertive style of communication is characterized by a distinct and clear speech, but not too loud or challenging, without "nervous" gestures such as moving from foot to leg or frequent change of bodily attitude.