When new soldiers arrive for basic training, they are met by drill sergeants who are specialists at increasing stress.

The stern orders and directives might seem like harassment to the poor teenagers who seem unable to do anything right. No matter how hard they try, it is never good enough.

The high stress, however, is intentional and part of the training. While there might be some negative reactions, the purpose is to help these soldiers achiever far more than they would ever expect.

Drill sergeants know when to coach, when to instruct, when to raise the temperature, and when to use compassion to relieve the stress.

By the time the recruits graduate from basic training, they admire and respect these tyrants who manipulate the recruits' stress to help them achieve.

Stress can have positive results, especially if it is intentionally structured to reach difficult goals. If you're going to use stress in this way, be sure you know how to turn it off or the approach can backfire and you'll lose your valuable front line employees.

Consider each of your leaders and determine whether they know how to use both positive stress and negative stress control.

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