Leadership Group – Fortune 50 High Tech

Situation

This high performing leadership team was operating virtually with its members in various locations throughout North America. Even those members who were geographically close rarely saw each other face-to-face. They were in need of team building and needed communication tools to help them strengthen teamwork and form more effective working relationships quickly. The team and selected staff attended two separate HeartMath programs where they were taught HeartMath's system of self-management technologies for enhancing business performance and communication while reducing stress. All participants received HeartMath's interactive peak performance software.

The HeartMath Program was designed to:

• Reduce stress on the staff who were working long hours under great pressure
• Improve communication and teamwork among the leaders and staff
• Maintain mental clarity and creativity despite the long hours
• Improve ability to stay focused on the task enabling more work to get done in less than usual time
• Increase personal and organisational coherence; deliver the project on time and on budget

The HeartMath Solution

The leadership team attended a one day training program in which they were taught HeartMath's system of self-management technologies for enhancing business performance and reducing stress. Six weeks later the team attended a second half-day program to enhance application and skill development of the HeartMath techniques and technology. HeartMath's Personal & organisational Quality Assessment was used to assess a number of health and business performance indicators before and at two and a half months after the program. Individuals were given daily practice guidelines in the program and received periodic e-mail reminders after the program to help achieve and sustain results.

Results

The data is subdivided into the top two bins (i.e. Often/ Most of the Time and Somewhat Agree/Strongly Agree). This not only makes some subgroup changes more obvious, but also reflects the reality that individuals on the extremes of the scale are the ones most likely to influence the whole group.

Business Benefits

Particularly strong improvements were seen in communication effectiveness, quality of work, productivity, goal clarity, and job satisfaction. These gains have been highlighted in the table below. Responses to a number of the survey statements indicate the group was already strong in areas such as feeling productive at work and understanding work priorities. This is a testimony to a work culture that is generally open and supportive. Nonetheless, slight positive movement occurred in these areas as well.

Business Benefits
(participants that responded 'Somewhat/Strongly Agree' to initial assessment)
	Pre Training	Post Training
We listen carefully to each other at work.	27%	63%
My supervisor and I communicate well with each other.	87%	100%
Our meetings are well organised.	20%	50%
People where I work feel free to express themselves.	73%	88%
I communicate with higher ups at work when needed.	80%	100%
I accomplish my objectives at work.	80%	100%
My work produces excellent results.	80%	100%
The goals of my work organisation are clear to me.	60%	100%
I feel like quitting my job.	20%	13%
I feel appreciated.	67%	100%

Personal Benefits

Particularly important improvements were made in many of the personal well being and stress reduction constructs. These gains have been highlighted in the table below. Most significant were reductions in exhaustion, tiredness and fatigue; worry, tension and anxiety. Sleeplessness, body aches and indigestion also improved significantly.

Personal Benefits
(participants that responded 'Often/Most of the Time' to initial assessment)
	Pre Training	Post Training
Angry	17%	13%
Annoyed	33%	0%
Tense	44%	0%
Worried	39%	0%
Exhausted	39%	25%
Tired	33%	25%
Happy	56%	100%
Calm	50%	75%
Relaxed	39%	88%
Clear headed	67%	88%
Focused	50%	88%
Mentally alert	72%	100%
Energetic	56%	88%
Lively	61%	100%
Body aches (headaches, backaches, etc.)	22%	0%
Anxious	17%	13%

For Information
Telephone: (02) 9412 2500 (Australia)
Telephone: +61 2 9412 2500 (International)
E-Mail: info@macquarieinstitute.com.au

Download our PDF Brochure