IOHK

About IOHK

IOHK is a global blockchain and cryptocurrency development company and the developers of ADA valued at $2 billion. Being a fast paced tech-start up and having extreme public pressure for timely delivery their teams are always under high stress, long hours and many process/ organizational changes.

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Background

The leaders of the company recognised that the pace of work and the high pressure timelines were impacting people's physical, emotional and mental health. And with no possibility to slow down the momentum, they wanted to provide their teams with a wellness program that would help improve their mental and physical states. We worked with the leaders to first understand what it was that they wanted to achieve. Once that was clear, we conducted one-to-one interviews with the individual team members to understand their current challenges and expectations.

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The Brief

With the hectic timelines and stressful environment, IOHK wanted a comprehensive program for their employees wellbeing. Their wanted to achieve the following objectives:
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1. They wanted to provide their team with practices and techniques that will reduce stress
2. They wanted to bring the team together around a positive activity which was something else that work
3. They wanted to bring together a remote working global team
4. They wanted to provide training that would help the team understand the root cause of their anxieties, frustrations and move them to a different understanding

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Our Approach

Based on the one-on-one interviews and long discussions with the leadership of IOHK, we designed a program that took into account the time constraints as well as what each person's expectations were based on the interviews.

We created a program titled “Boost Your Personal Resilience”  which consisted of:
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• One session per week for 1.5 hours online
• Sessions set at a mutually convenient time for a global remote workforce

A comprehensive program comprising of:
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• Breathwork exercises (pranayama) to reduce stress, increase focus and improve clarity
• Short & effective custom office yoga sequence
• Several self-guided meditations
• Awareness’ sessions and discussions for their main challenges

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What we achieved

The program was appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed by all team members. It gave them a sense of satisfaction to be able to remove a small amount of time per week just for themselves and give themselves the “self-care” they so desperately needed.

This is what some of them had to share:
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I am making progress week after week.I can imagine how this will help me be more productive and control my anxiety better in the long run, making the way we work more sustainable.

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It was a welcome nudge to"actively slow down" for a moment, giving room to reflection.

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Honestly, I enjoyed the camaraderie and shared wellness exercises with my colleagues. I think it sends a really important message to each other that we value these types of exercises, modes of awareness and balance. And that we're not just saying we do.

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I found the breathing and meditation to be very powerful. And doing yoga has encouraged me to get up, stretch and move about more now.

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Survey Results

We understand that the words and the information we share are not always enough for people to believe the results we provide. But data does not lie.

It is for this reason that we always conduct an exhaustive survey with our participants and these were some of our findings:
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• A 100% enjoyed the Program
• A 100% said they would have liked for the program to continue
• An 80% said that the program tools, techniques and meditations rejuvenated them
• A 100% said that these new techniques, tools and or personal insights helped them manage their mental well being
• A 100% said the techniques taught, has a positive effect on their focus and concentration
• An 85% said the program helped increase their self awareness and understanding