Last Updated:
Seeing his manager come online on Teams would instantly put one employee into “hyper-alert mode”, making him fear messages, questions and even feel guilty for taking a coffee break
He later found a way to break the cycle. (Instagram/cubicle_talks_with_avik)
Many office workers know the feeling of becoming anxious the moment their manager comes online. One professional has now explained why that simple green status on Microsoft Teams used to make him panic and how he eventually broke the habit.
In a video shared on Instagram, Avik Roy spoke about a type of workplace anxiety that often goes unnoticed. He said he used to believe that every time his manager logged in, he would immediately be questioned, judged or flooded with work.
When The Green Dot Caused Stress
Roy recalled that during the early days of his corporate career, seeing his manager’s Teams status turn green would instantly change his mood. “Another workplace anxiety that’s more common than you think. It starts the moment your manager logs in. Yes. Do you ever see your manager’s, you know, Team status turning green and suddenly you stop feeling relaxed?” he said.
He admitted that he would immediately prepare for a stream of messages. “The moment my manager used to log in, I would go in a hyper-alert mode. I would immediately think that, oh, no! My manager has come online now. The messages are I’m going to be get bombarded with messages. I need to start replying instantly,” he explained.
The pressure became so intense that he even felt guilty about taking short breaks, like stepping away for a cup of coffee. Looking back, he realised most of that stress came from assumptions he had created in his own mind.
Three Habits That Changed Things
Roy shared three changes that helped him deal with this anxiety. The first was shifting his focus away from replying instantly to messages. Instead, he started paying more attention to the quality of his work and the results he delivered.
His second step was sending regular updates to his manager before being asked. According to Roy, this helped build trust and reduced the need for constant follow-ups.
Finally, he stopped assuming that managers spend all day watching employees. “Sometimes, what happens, we create that fear in our own minds,” he said.
Roy also encouraged people to speak openly with their managers if these feelings continue. “Good leaders will coach you, build trust, and not judge you,” he added.
Ending the video, he reminded viewers not to let fear take over their thoughts. “Your mind is a powerful storyteller. Don’t let it, you know, let your mind write a story that does not even exist.”
Many Employees Could Relate
The video was shared with the caption, “Sometimes the biggest pressure at work isn’t your manager. It’s the story your mind keeps telling you.”
Many users said they had experienced the same feeling. A person wrote, “Yes, I agree with you.” Another commented, “This is so true.”
Someone said, “Absolutely, I agree with you on this,” while another added, “Yes, I feel the same way.”
About the Author
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
Read More
