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The Hardiness Institute evolved
from a landmark study by Dr. Salvatore R. Maddi and
his team of researchers at the University of Chicago.
We worked with 400 employees at Illinois Bell Telephone
(IBT) before, during, and after the greatest divestiture
in history. Almost 2/3 of the people showed significant
wellness breakdown. But, the remaining third maintained
health and performance and actually thrived on the upheavals.
Those who thrived had three, related, characteristics
that we came to call Hardiness.
The first characteristic was
their HardiAttitudes™ that is, powerful attitudes
about self, the world, and the interaction between the
two that motivate and enable one to engage in Performance, Leadership,
and Health Enhancing thoughts and behaviors. The HardiAttitude�
of commitment led them to feel important and worthwhile enough to
engage fully in work tasks despite stressful changes. The HardiAttitude�
of control motivated them to find ways to influence the outcome of stressful
changes, rather than lapse into helplessness and passivity. Rather than feel threatened
by such changes, the HardiAttitude™ of challenge helped them to stay open
to the work environment and to the work community, while they searched for innovative
solutions to workplace problems.
HardiCoping™ was the second characteristic of IBT employees who thrived. These
employees engaged in coping habits that helped them to turn adversity
to advantage by broadening their perspective and understanding of the
stressful changes.
IBT employees who thrived also possessed a specific pattern
of giving and getting social and personal assistance and encouragement
to, and from, the work community. HardiSocial Support™ contributed strongly
to the strengthening of their HardiAttitudes™, and HardiCoping™ efforts.
Hundreds of corporate managers have benefited from Hardiness services
and products. Some of our corporate clients include
ARCO, Baxter Health Care Corporation, California Pacific
Medical Center and, of course, IBT. Also, throughout
the world,
numerous researchers across a variety of settings conduct studies to evaluate the role of hardiness in performance,
leadership, health, and personal and professional satisfaction.
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Key Executives
