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Improving Operational Effectiveness at a Global Logistics Company with Emotional Intelligence Training
Leadership development program at global logistics firm Kuehne + Nagel shows how even in fast-paced, task-focused environments, the road to sustainable high performance runs through people and the uniquely human skills they possess.
Overview
Situation: Kuehne + Nagel, a global logistics company based in Switzerland, employs over 81,000 logistics professionals worldwide at its 1,300 offices. In this complex, fast-paced, and task-focused environment, the leadership team recognized that the only way to ensure sustainable high performance moving forward is to invest in its employees’ social and emotional development, especially managers tasked with bringing the best out of people.
Solution: Starting with the executive leadership team, Kuehne + Nagel developed and implemented a multiphase strategy with Six Seconds to improve its people management structures. By teaching individuals and teams essential emotional intelligence skills and embedding them in the company’s culture, the leadership team hoped to improve both culture and performance.
Results: Kuehne + Nagel Italia experienced a dramatic cultural transformation, with a vast majority (80%) of employees reporting observable differences in how managers responded to daily challenges. In the same timeframe, operational effectiveness improved 66%, showing a clear link between emotional intelligence and performance.
“Over the past 18 months, our Board has embarked on a transformation focused on Emotional Intelligence to improve the experience of customers and employees. As National Manager of Human Resources, I have lived this journey firsthand, observing the progress of leaders in active listening and conflict management. This has improved dialogue and created a more inclusive environment. Not only that, the journey has strengthened leadership and fostered a company culture based on empathy, trust and collaboration.”
– Marilena Dalla Patti, National Human Resources Manager, Kuehne + Nagel Italia
Situation
Founded in 1890 in Bremen, Germany, Kuehne+Nagel has evolved from a traditional shipping company to a global logistics partner that offers highly specialised solutions for major industries worldwide, including sea freight and airfreight forwarding, contract logistics and overland transportation. With over 81,000 logistics professionals at its 1,300 offices worldwide, Kuehne+Nagel remains committed to its core values of empathy, integrity and innovation, all of which are key to its competitive advantage of putting people at the center of its business operations.
Solution
The program succeeded in its key objective to improve people management by introducing transformational emotional intelligence skills in a structured, cascading process. In partnership with Six Seconds and Manimal, a Six Seconds Preferred Partner, Kuehne+Nagel developed a custom program to make an impact on all 3 levels of the company: with individuals, teams and the organization as a whole. Using EQ assessments such as the Organizational Vital Signs assessment, Group EQ Dashboard and SEI Leadership Report in both 1:1 coaching and group training sessions, employees across the organization reported a cultural shift as a result of the program.
Results
The program succeeded in its key objectives to embed emotional intelligence skills in the leadership team and other teams throughout Kuehne+Nagel Italia. The statistics below speak to the program’s widespread impact.
BETTER CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
100% of the program’s leaders developed new skills in managing relationships and conflicts with greater sensitivity and awareness
%
MORE EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
Majority (80%) of employees recognized a significant change in the way their managers approached daily challenges
%
IMPROVED ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Operational effectiveness performance improved 66%
during the program
%
Products & Services Delivered
SEI Leadership Report™
SEI – Six Seconds’ Emotional Intelligence Assessment is a validated psychometric tool for measuring emotional intelligence, used by over 500,000 people worldwide. It provides in-depth feedback on specific EQ competencies and results and is ideal for 1:1 coaching or advanced training.
Organizational Vital
Signs ™ (OVS)
Multi-rater assessment that provides feedback on an organization’s climate and the key drivers behind it. Ideal for enterprise-level analysis and development and leadership coaching.
Read more about Six Seconds’ Vital Signs assessment suite
Group Dashboard™
Powerful, 1-page summary of a group or team’s style for using emotional intelligence, its top talents, and how that impacts performance. Ideal for team development, leadership coaching, and strategic workplace planning.
Brain Talent Profile™
What are a candidate’s top 3 Brain Talents? A powerful, 1-page report that gives feedback on people’s brain talents. Ideal for training, onboarding & talent strategy.
Read more about Six Seconds’ Brain Profiles suite
Custom Development
To address the organization’s specific needs using Six Seconds’ methodology, a custom program was developed, tested, and implemented.
Read more about Six Seconds’ Methodology in Business
EQ Coaching
Coaching – Six Seconds’ coaching methodology blends neuroscience and emotional intelligence with the International Coach Federation competencies.
Want to improve performance with emotional intelligence?
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