Abstract:
This study reports on the development of an Ubuntu type HeartMath Workshop for
the purpose of facilitating social coherence and spirit at work. The study employed
a pre- and post-test, mixed methods, within subjects, outcome evaluative design.
Data were collected in three workshops with a total sample of 10 women and 7
men, with mean age 38.23, and range 24 to 58 years. Pretesting and post-testing
consisted of psychophysiological coherence, social coherence and spirit at work
measures. The Ubuntu HeartMath Workshop procedure included HeartMath heart
focused breathing and cultivating positive Ubuntu feelings, followed by instruction
and group discussion of ways in which Ubuntu could promote social coherence
with special reference to work spirit. Afterwards participants provided written experiential and evaluative descriptions of the workshops. Significant and meaningful
quantitative and qualitative findings provided consistent evidence as to the efficacy
of the workshops in improving psychophysiological coherence, social coherence
and work spirit. Implications for the development and evaluation of further research
with other participant samples in other contexts are discussed.
