Stress and the Bottom Line

In the current economic environment, employees and managers are being asked to do more, as well as find ways to save money. Experts report that high stress can contribute to anxiety, depression and other behavioral problems, as well as reduce worker motivation and productivity, impair skill development and increase employee turnover and absenteeism.

What can managers and other leaders do to create optimal levels of stress — helping people feel challenged and in control of their work setting — to promote employee well-being and bottom-line performance?

The Center for Leadership, Mihaylo College of Business and Economics, and the College of Communications are sponsoring the April 8 leadership symposium “Stress and the Bottom Line: Lessons for Leaders.” The 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. program in Portola Pavilion of the Titan Student Union includes a continental breakfast and lunch.

“Health care costs are a major uncertainty facing today’s businesses,” noted Tom Mayes, conference and center director. “Our conference brings world-renowned scientists and managerial experts together on the same program in a rare opportunity to show how their discoveries can improve bottom-line performance.”

Keynote speaker is Tores Theorell, professor emeritus of psychosocial medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm University, and co-author of “Healthy Work: Stress, Productivity and the Reconstruction of Working Life.”

Theorell will be presenting during the 1-2 p.m. session “Leadership Styles and Employee Wellness: Lessons From Around the World” with Joseph Prevratil, CEO of the Archstone Foundation and former CEO of the Port of Long Beach. Ron Riggio, professor of leadership and organizational psychology and director of the Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College, is session moderator.

Other sessions are:

• 8:30-10 a.m. — “An Employee-Centered Culture and Organizational Performance: What is the Link?” presented by Leslie Hammer, professor of psychology and director of the Center for Work-Family Stress, Safety and Health at Portland State University; E. Jeffrey Hill, associate professor of family life at Brigham Young University; and Mark Tiffany, director of estimating and pricing and procurement financial analysis, Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems Business. Gerard Beenen, assistant professor of management, is moderator.

• 10:15-11: 30 a.m. — “The Most Effective Leadership Systles: Achieving Employee Peak Performance by Building Resiliency” with Wesley Sime, professor of health and human performance, University of Nebraska; Dan Ganster, chair of management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins; and Kathleen McGinley, vice president of human resources and corporate services, ISTA Pharmaceuticals. Moderator is Shaun M. Pichler, assistant professor of management.

• 2:15-3:45 p.m. — “Executive and Employee Wellness Programs: What’s Their Impact and What Makes Them Successful?” with James C. Quick, professor of management, University of Texas, Arlington; John Stratman Jr., director of public affairs, Kaiser Permanent Orange County; and Roger Benton, program manager for Healthy Workforce, Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Lori A. Muse, associate professor of management, is moderator.

• 3:45 p.m. — “Takeaway Strategy Session: Ask the Experts” with all previous speakers and moderator S. Irene Matz, associate director of the Center for Leadership and associate dean of the College of Communications.

Cost is $75 per person, $25 per student, which includes breakfast and lunch. Faculty scholarships to attend the event are available. For more information or to register, go to the conference website or call 657-278-5170.

March 24, 2011