Quiksilver - Tailored leadership program that applied emotional intelligence to assist in the development of the emerging leadership team and to help Quiksilver tackle the cultural challenges that success has brought to this unique company.
The Challenges
Quiksilver is a leading international surf brand with a presence in 90 countries worldwide, that designs, produces and distributes clothing, accessories and related products. To their employees, however, they are much more than a place to work. They have an established reputation as an organization that represents, not only a place to work, but also offers a lifestyle derived from a board-riding heritage.
Robert McKnight Jr. Chairman of the Board and CEO says of Quiksilver Inc: “there is no question the Quiksilver's greatest strength has always been the depth and talent of our people.”
RocheMartin was invited by Quiksilver’s Asian/Pacific headquarters in Torquay, Australia to design an Emotional Intelligence leadership solution for the evaluation and development of its current leadership team. The program was also designed to assist in the development of the emerging leadership group. Specifically, senior managers noted a significant gap in the leadership abilities of the executive group when compared with the emerging leadership. This was thought to be the consequence of differing levels of talent, training and communication processes.
Actions Taken
Executive leadership team and the emerging leadership team - individually completed the online assessment process. Following this, a highly collaborative feedback session, designed to maximise understanding of the specific findings of the assessment scores was conducted with each individual. This process of transformation assessment and feedback works to reinforce and clarify existing strengths, target development needs and build effective strategies to increase competencies, in line with company and team business objectives. Participants then met with an Executive Coach over 8 weeks to work on goals that emerged from the feedback process.
Participants in the program also benefited from the additional input from online learning modules that address key leadership competencies such as: effective influence, active listening and empathy, assertiveness and conflict management.
Results
‘Before and after’ EQ scores demonstrated a 13% increase in the Global EQ score of the team, a 13% increase in their Intrapersonal Emotional Intelligence, an 11% increase in Interpersonal Emotional Intelligence, a 9% decrease in the stress levels of participant and a10% increase in the mood levels of participants.
Testimonials
“Participating in the RocheMartin Leadership program has been the highlight of my time working for Quiksilver.”
“....it was great to have someone to discuss my leadership strengths and weaknesses with, someone who wasn’t judging me and taught me emotionally intelligent ways to deal with situations, and above all people.”
Zoe Draper - Roxy Sales Manager
“The assessment process highlighted development needs that I knew I had but up to this point in time had not addressed.”
Executive Team Member
“The RocheMartin leadership system taught me new leadership skills that have allowed me to get the best out of my team and was aligned with our strategy of working to peoples strengths”
“In general it has improved my communication skills and in particular it helped me to make sure that I comprehend what my team actually wants rather than what I assume they want”
Mike Blackwood - Product Manager
“The RocheMartin Emotional Capitalist Leadership program identified what leadership abilities I needed to step up to be a stronger leader. I am now consciously aware of how I need to deal with my team on a daily basis.”
Paul Moss – Sales Manager
“The program has definitely increased my confidence in my leadership abilities and provided me with some specific skills that I can use in communicating with all levels of the organization.”
Nigel Phillips – Financial Controller
"The Emotional Capitalist leadership program has proven to me that you no matter how technically trained you are, and how well you know your business, without embracing emotional capitalism, you will never be the leader you aspire to be"
