To foster a supportive and dynamic work environment, Promega embraces the principles of emotional and social intelligence (ESI). ESI helps employees improve relationships, manage stress and enhance connections. The components of the ESI program include 1:1 and group coaching, daily guided meditations, formal trainings and company-wide initiatives. Beyond strengthening our ESI skills, these programs bring employees together in ways that are both professional and personal, thereby strengthening our community.
To date over 200 employees have attended our flagship program, the ESI Bootcamp. The ESI Bootcamp is an immersive experience that gives participants the time, space and support to focus deeply on learning and integrating the building blocks of ESI.
As the number of employees actively participating in ESI activities grows, we have continued to expand and deepen our programs with the fundamental goals of seeding and anchoring ESI widely throughout the business. A first cohort of Promega employees has now engaged in a job enrichment, train-the-trainer program called the Advanced Practitioner Training (APT), which makes ESI a formal part of the APT graduate’s role. Through dedicated Communities of Practice, these employees refine and share best practices and come to serve as listeners and advisors to each other on journeys of personal/professional growth. We have also engaged Promega employees to act as ESI Teaching Assistants for ESI Building Blocks courses. These Teaching Assistants are first tasked with deepening their own understanding of the topics they will teach, and then serving to enrich the course through group discussions.
ESI Interview with Dave Romanin
I: I am here with Dave Romanin, a Promega employee. Born an optimist, nurtured as a cynic, he is overcoming his negativity and has become a beacon for others.
His ESI journey at Promega began when he took a position as software analyst. Lacking any true authority in projects, he learned to nurture the best out of those he worked with.
So, Dave, what has your ESI journey been like? You currently work in Global Logistics? How does that relate to ESI?
D: Any job relates to ESI because we use it every day, all day. I try to be an example, that you can improve your situation, and that is not job specific.
I: Can you give an example?
D: Sure. At the conflict resolution management class that I teach, we go through multiple activities that give you better insight into yourself. It even happened yesterday. I was talking with a coworker about a frustration of theirs. We talked through the source, what need was not being met, and they found insight into themselves. We talked through options for resolution, but I do not know what they picked.
I: And you are OK with that (not knowing)?
D: Completely. Everyone needs to walk their own path. My goal is to provide multiple paths to choose from.
I: How did you ever start your ESI path?
D: Promega started the ESI Bootcamp and Darbie Miller and Jen Romanin recommended me as attendee.
I: How did it branch into teaching conflict management and ESI?
D: I love to teach. I think I always have. When I teach, I feel the need to master the material. Every person I teach improves my mastery of ESI.
I: Why is mastery important to you?
D: I can see how much it has helped me with my family (especially with teenage daughters) and I want to help others if I can. I can also see how far I still need to go. The ESI journey never ends…
I: What were the keys to your success?
D: Trying stuff out. Being willing to feel uncomfortable, silly, and sometimes unsure. Being genuine and vulnerable with others around me. Participating in as many ESI programs offered by Promega as I could.
I: Do you have any personal practices?
D: A few: Infrequent meditation. Meeting with ESI buddies. Teaching, always teaching. Intention setting – this is essential - I am better when I set an intention. Holding myself accountable for the stories in my mind and the suffering that they cause me. Keeping a gratitude journal.
I: What does your gratitude journal entail?
D: It has a song quote on the inside cover. It’s a little reminder for me: “Today, I won't think of any sad things. Will not think of torture, or the rape of nature. Just today, I won't touch those sickening papers. Will just let myself get swept away by this beautiful day”. Each day I record at least one thing. Every entry starts with “Today was a great day because…”
I: How do you think it helps you?
D: Some days it’s hard to take the few minutes to do it. But on those bad days, it forces me to find something good, like a beacon in the dark.
I: Well folks, were almost out of paper, so that will be enough for today. Thank you to Dave for sharing some of your ESI journey.
