Acting in a theatre production, trying out dance moves or participating in a storytelling session are not the normal skill sets that corporate employees expect to be told to cultivate. Creative action methods such as dance, music, theatre, psychodrama (a group work method that explores the problems, concerns and dreams of individuals, groups and organizations) and experiential learning—all of which aim at putting people in touch with their minds and bodies—are gaining greater acceptance at workplaces.
Employers across the country are adopting a host of such methods as part of corporate training programmes, in the hope that it will promote a sense of holistic well-being in employees that will ultimately extend to the organization itself.
“Every time people learn through a creative method, there is a process of reflection and realization, and each person grows at an individual level,” says Papiya Banerjee, director, human resources, Aviva Global Services, Pune, who feels creative methods are gaining ground as organizations realize that what people need to develop is not just a prescribed skill set but a mindset that stimulates learning. “Such learning must become part of an individual’s personality. Only then will he be able to transform that into action,” says Banerjee.
Combating stress
Workplace stress is emerging as a major cost factor—in the next 10 years, losses resulting from workplace stress in India could amount to $200 billion (Rs8.48 trillion), according to a study by Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. This is mirrored by global trends—in the UK, stress-related absence from work is estimated to set companies back by £11 million (Rs91.7 crore) a year.
The constant need to upgrade skills is also a major part of workplace stress. “Companies now expect people to take on more than one role and develop multiple competencies,” says Sushma Sharma, chief executive officer, Resonate Consulting, Mumbai, which offers organization development sessions for companies using creative tools.
Apart from the pressure relating to individual performance, employees have to contend with fluid business environments.
“During a merger and acquisition process at the workplace, there was a lot of pent-up anxiety and stress among employees, there was real fear of job loss,” says Purnima Joshi, communication consultant, Aviva Global Services.
During this period, the company conducted learning sessions that included creative methods such as appreciative enquiry, which trains people to focus on the positives in the environment, in their co-workers and within themselves. “Taking part in such a session helped us stay calm in the midst of adversity and also retain our sanity,” says Joshi.
Work-induced stress manifests itself primarily in ailments such as hormonal disorders, repetitive stress injury and chronic pain.