Professionals in high pressure careers face chronic stress, anxiety, and unique mental health challenges. Yet, most high performers are reluctant to 'speak up' for fear of being stigmatized or losing their position on the leadership fast track. Their silence only makes the problem worse and eventually creates costly corporate-level problems like burnout, turnover, and a culture that can quickly spin out of control. Our Case Method Approach was designed by our team - former business school case writers and executive educators - to create a safe space for professionals to talk openly about personal challenges like chronic stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.

The case method was originated at the Harvard Business School over a hundred years ago. The creators of this program cut our teeth writing case studies at Harvard. Our approach is a modern spin on the traditional case method approach. It is a combination of interviews with leaders willing to be vulnerable followed by deep-dive case discussions facilitated by professional moderators. The Case Method is for members only, which serves two purposes. 1- It allows invited experts to focus their time and advice on the specific needs of a smaller audience. 2- It allows us to keep our virtual case discussions to a smaller, more manageable size, which facilitates a more lively group discussion.

Every quarter, interested participants may join a live, virtual discussion. The discussion will be facilitated by a group facilitator - a former case writer or instructor, trained at the Harvard Business School (HBS). We limit the size of each case discussion to model the classroom dynamic at HBS. A key aspect of our case discussions is psychological safety. We want participants feel safe and be able to step into the shoes of the case protagonist (a respected leader whom we will have already interviewed and shared with our members through our private podcast). The instructor facilitates a lively debate in which all participants can simultaneously listen and share their thoughts, feelings, and perspectives in a psychologically safe space. Participants work together and talk about tough challenges with no easy answers. The process of talking about stress and anxiety is cathartic. The group discussion format also promotes a sense of community and universality. In other words, if one person is having a challenge, then many others are likely having the exact same problem.

A few potential case discussion topics that we are considering for 2025: Managing Ambiguity: "Sometimes I need to make fast, tough decisions at work - in an ethical gray zone - with no right or wrong answer. How do I get more comfortable in these ambiguous situations and manage personal stress and anxiety?" Introversion. "I am an introvert, and having difficulty developing authentic connections with work colleagues - especially charismatic extroverts. Science confirms that meaningful relationships at work impact mental and physical health. How can companies create a culture that supports these connections?" Overcoming Stigma: "I have a mental health challenge that sometimes impacts my work performance. Should I speak up, or just keep grinding away? How do best practice companies create a supportive culture?" Insomnia: 60% of high performers at work suffer from insomnia. High quality sleep is not just a 'switch off' for our bodies. It impacts cognitive functioning, business judgment, and mental health and well being. Physical Impact of stress and anxiety: How can I avoid pre-diabetes or obesity - when an astounding 55%+ of high performers in Corporate America - over the age of 35 - already have it? What's best way to leverage nutrition and exercise to enhance metabolic health - given my busy schedule?

Our core team. Case Writing: Jeff Cohn was a case writer and group facilitator at the Harvard Business School and at INSEAD business school. Among many others, he helped prepare the very first case study on Apple Computer, as the company was called at the time. Jeff is an executive coach and a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review. Case Facilitation: Professor Srini Rangan has been a case facilitator and executive educator for three decades at top business schools including Harvard; IMD; and Babson College, where he has won numerous teaching awards. Group Therapy: Dr. Carrie Muchow is a cognitive behavioral therapist, a group therapist, and an executive coach who received her PhD in psychology, with Honors, from Columbia University. Individual counseling: Dr. Janna Koretz is a psychologist focused on the unique mental health needs of entrepreneurs and other 'rising star' leaders in high pressure careers.

According to a recent Harvard Business Review article, a recent survey of 3,625 HR leaders, nearly 70% reported an increase in burnout at their organization in the past year. "With stress levels at their highest in a decade and the leading cause of sickness absence at work, the problem of burnout should be top of every business agenda in 2024," according to the authors.

Despite good intentions, most mental health solutions offered by companies have historically not been well received: employee assistance programs; short term counseling; phone access to a help-line; or preventative tech solutions like a new wellness app. According to numerous studies, low-touch solutions have minimal engagement, 5-10% since they were developed in the early 1980s. Our program is much more hands-on, immersive, and non-stigmatizing. We circumvent historical problems by using anonymized, real life case studies, during which participants can put themselves into the shoes of the case protagonist.

Our focus is mental health. However mental and physical health are inexorably connected. Prolonged exposure to stress can cause changes in the body's physiology, including elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to inflammation, high blood pressure, and weakened immune function. Chronic stress has also been linked to a range of health problems, including anxiety, depression, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Stress prompts a hormonal response in the body that affects glucose levels. When you're feeling frazzled or panicked, your body readies itself to fight off a threat by leaving ample glucose in your bloodstream for your muscles to use. To increase blood glucose, your body pumps out more adrenaline and glucagon, and consequently, your cells become insulin-resistant so that glucose stays in your blood. The result is elevated glucose, as illustrated in research that shows a link between perceived work-related stress and increased circulating glucose levels.

Fees The yearly corporate membership fee is $25,000. The yearly corporate fee includes membership for up to 50 employees during the entire twelve month period. Access to all new interviews which will be shared with members through our private podcast. Access to quarterly, deep-dive case discussions. Companies may invite current employees - or top prospects (future recruits) - to this program, e.g., college and graduate students, for example. This program is a unique way to develop strong relationships with future prospects. Note: The program fee helps pay expert speaking fees for invited guests (on the private podcast), as well as compensation for our team of professional case facilitators. Our hope is that the case discussion approach is complementary to individual coaching provided by companies, and significantly more cost-effective and scalable.

Companies may register here. Once registered, companies may invite their employees to join the program . Individuals may not sign up without being nominated by their company/employer.

Our target market consists of professionals in high stress careers, like law, investment banking, consulting, technology, private equity, health care, etc. We keep the list of companies - and individual participants - confidential to protect their anonymity and to promote a safe space for asking personal questions.