Could the teaching hospital model be the breakthrough we seek?

Organizations face a pressing need to prioritize wellness in a world marked by rising employee attrition rates, prevalent burnout, and diminishing job satisfaction. With attrition rates escalating from 8.3% in 2013 to 32.7% in 2023, and 63% of employees considering quitting due to stress and burnout, the situation's urgency is evident. In our commitment to leading the wellness revolution, I was privileged to engage with Ajay T. , CX Head of Ogilvy Indonesia , whose innovative approaches to workplace wellness provided invaluable insights.

Ajay T. 's decade-long tenure in Indonesia has been marked by significant achievements in enhancing employee productivity and well-being. One way he achieved this was by incorporating the Indonesian practice of  "Curhat," or "formal venting," into the workplace culture and this involves listening empathetically to colleagues venting out without immediately jumping to problem-solving. The effectiveness of this strategy is backed up by numerous research including a study by Richards and Gross which highlighted its positive impact on emotional regulation and stress reduction and another study by Nolen-Hoeksema and Aldao which showed how it promotes emotional well-being and support in the workplace.

Further enriching the workplace culture, Ajay introduced the concept of "Jam Karet" or “rubber time,” which views time as fluid and respects the ebb and flow of individual productivity, thus advocating for periods of rest between intense work sessions. He also implemented "Passion Presentations" to combat Monday blues. These presentations encourage employees to share their interests, such as photography, with their colleagues, enhancing engagement and connection within the team. For instance, an employee might discuss their photography techniques or showcase their best photos,  thereby nurturing a workplace that values individuality and creativity.

Ajay’s philosophy that stuck with me was his perspective of running a company like a "Teaching Hospital," as originally conceptualized by David Ogilvy. This model places equal emphasis on staff development and customer service, much like teaching hospitals in taking care of their clients and educating the next generation of medical experts. With this strategy, a culture of mentorship, creativity, and ongoing learning is promoted, enabling staff members to advance their careers while providing clients with exceptional service.

Ogilvy 's core values—pervasively creative, adaptively connected, relentlessly curious, divinely discontented, and eternal craftspeople— have propelled the agency to remarkable success and have been demonstrated in their creative integration of data, technology, and AI. This commitment to innovation has positioned Ogilvy as a leader in the industry, evident in the numerous awards and recognition received, including being named the most decorated PR agency in the United States at the 2024 PR Week Awards. Additionally, for four consecutive years, Ogilvy has been recognized by the World Advertising Research Centre as the most creative agency network globally, has been ranked as a top consultancy by the Financial Times for seven years running, and was named the Global Agency Network of the Year 2024 by Ad Age.

Three key lessons from Ajay’s leadership style include:

• Applying the "Teaching Hospital" model in the workplace, where staff development and client service are equally prioritized, creates a continuous learning environment and fosters a culture of mentorship and innovation.
• Implementing structured outlets for employees to express emotions, such as "Curhat," can significantly reduce workplace stress and improve emotional regulation.
• Initiatives like "Passion Presentations" allow employees’ passion to be integrated into their current or future roles, enhancing engagement and job satisfaction.

These lessons resonate with our vision at HiEquity.ai to achieve health equity for all through AI tools and actionable insights to shift global incentives from reactive to proactive wellness. By embracing these holistic, people-focused practices, companies can significantly enhance their workplace environments, by reducing attrition rates and boosting overall productivity.

Sources:

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/hr-policies-trends/india-inc-sees-a-dip-in-attrition-to-17-in-2023-amidst-global-tech-downturn-deloitte-survey/articleshow/106329014.cms?from=mdr

https://www.stress.org/42-worrying-workplace-stress-statistics

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225094652_The_influence_of_context_on_the_implementation_of_adaptive_emotion_regulation_strategies

https://www.ogilvy.com/ideas/ogilvy-75-quotations-david-ogilvy

https://www.ogilvy.com/ideas/ogilvy-pr-emerges-most-awarded-agency-2024-pr-week-awards#:~:text=NEW YORK – MARCH 15%2C 2024,2024's Campaign of the Year