Client: Cochlear Americas
Challenge: Supporting the well-being and resilience of a team who are dispersed across 42 states in the US and across Canada. These employees operate in a high-pressure environment, often feeling the effects of burnout and isolation due to the nature of their roles.
Outcome: Introducing the Doing Well cards as a tool for team building, well-being, and resilience planning, with continued facilitation for long-term impact.
Cochlear Americas, based in Denver, CO, supports over 800 employees across the U.S. and Canada, playing a pivotal role in the healthcare industry by transforming the lives of those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Behind this groundbreaking technology is an equally strong commitment to the well-being of the teams who make it possible. Cochlear Americas worked with Hummingly to prioritize the importance of fostering resilience and connection within its workforce, understanding that by supporting their employees, they enhance their ability to serve others. Kristy Housley, Workplace Wellness Partner, recognized the critical need for tools to manage stress, prevent burnout, and strengthen mental resilience—especially for those who work remotely.
When Kristy first encountered the Doing Well cards, she saw their potential to spark meaningful conversations about well-being and resilience. “Our sales team operates in a fast-paced, high-stress environment, and the Doing Well cards provided a simple, effective way to introduce well-being into the conversation,” she explained. And because the team have busy roles and are spread so widely geographically, Kristy also found the Doing Well cards a helpful tool to help the team connect, interact and build team cohesion.
The cards were first introduced at Cochlear Americas’ annual sales meeting, gifted to the entire field team. Kristy and her team saw the cards not only as a tool for individual reflection but also as a way to foster team building and collaboration.
“We’ve used them in smaller groups for employees to develop their own resilience plans, and as a team-building exercise to agree on collective well-being actions.”
The response from the team was overwhelmingly positive. “The cards are great conversation starters,” Kristy noted. “They remind people of things they may already know, but need to hear again, and they’re easy to use.” The Doing Well cards also make maintaining momentum easy providing a tool for continued facilitation and follow-up. This means agreed-upon actions don’t become overshadowed by the demands of daily tasks.
Since introducing the Doing Well cards, Cochlear Americas has expanded their use beyond the sales team. Other departments, such as the Recipient Solutions Managers, have adopted the tool to enhance their own team dynamics. The impact has even extended outside the organization.
“One of our team members from the Northeast shared the cards with her husband, a school principal, and he saw their value right away. After she brought them home, he decided to purchase a set to use with the teachers at his school.”
Looking ahead, through intentional action and the introduction of practical tools like the Doing Well cards, Cochlear Americas is fostering a culture of resilience and well-being, ensuring their teams can thrive in the face of challenges.
