Question

Petra is a new manager for a household products company, after getting a promotion from an administrative job that she found boring. But now she frequently experiences ______, like when she had to explain the new product her team is developing to the CEO and several board members. As psychologist Csikzentmihalyi predicts, her ideal state would be an emotional zone between that and boredom.

1) overload
2) anxiety
3) immodesty
4) fear
5) pressure

Answer 1

Petra is likely experiencing anxiety due to the new challenges in her managerial role. She should aim for a state of flow, as excessive stress, or distress, can negatively impact her performance. Managing workload and receiving positive feedback can help achieve eustress for better engagement.

Step-by-step explanation:

Petra, having been promoted from an administrative job to a managerial position, is likely experiencing anxiety. This emotional response can be attributed to her facing new challenges such as explaining a product to high-level company officials, which is a significant jump from her previous role that she found unstimulating. According to psychologist Csikszentmihalyi, the ideal state Petra should aim for is one of flow: a balance between stress and boredom, characterized by a deep focus on tasks that match one's abilities, leading to fulfillment and engagement. However, Petra's case currently appears to fall under distress as described by Selye, where the stress exceeds an optimal level, resulting in performance decline and emotional exhaustion. Solutions to address this could involve clearer role definition, manageable workload, and positive feedback to move towards a state of eustress, with moderate stress levels that enhance performance.