Wish You Were Here Ö Without the Mobile

Research shows 10% of executives in danger of ëderailmentí
Penna urges executives to take time out away from emails and calls

Penna, a human capital management consultancy, is urging senior executives to leave their mobile devices behind when they go on holiday. The plea comes in light of research by Penna, which has found that 10% of senior executives are heading towards ëderailmentí, where otherwise successful and healthy leaders become ill, depressed and perform poorly, due to overwork and poor work-life balance.

Jonathan Perks, Managing Director of Leadership Services at Penna, believes the excessive use of mobile phones and Blackberrys is exacerbating the problem. Executives are now constantly ëon callí, even when on holiday. This is affecting not only their own lives, but also those of their families and others they work with.

Penna conducted extensive research measuring the EQ (emotional intelligence) of 600 CEOís, MDís and Directors of FTSE 250 companies. The EQ test* assesses areas such as stress management, adaptability and interpersonal skills and can identify those people in danger of self destruction. Results showed that one in ten participants in the study is teetering on the edge, putting their own health and the future of their company at risk.

Perks commented: ìChecking emails and taking work related phone calls on holiday is unhealthy and can have a catastrophic effect on those executives who are not allowing themselves the time they need to recharge and de-stress. Mobile devices permit the pressures of work to escape onto the beach, meaning that bosses never have a respite from the constant demands of the office.

ìWorking such a vigorous schedule will inevitably lead to individuals becoming ëtoxicí, and this is where the potential for personal and professional derailment becomes a real risk. We should challenge the invasion of mobile devices into all aspects of our lives before we lose some of our top professionals for the sake of a few emails.î