How do people go about creating balance in their organizations? The first step is to observe the company and try to see clearly where it stands in regard to the five dimensions -- to take the organization’s temperature, so to speak.

The following table lists some questions that people can ask themselves to assess their organization. The questions in the table relate to the symptoms of disequilibrium, such as regular financial crises, high turnover rates, an air of cynicism, backbiting, problems meeting deadlines, and so on. Indications that problems exist are almost always evident, if only we are willing to see them and accept the message being given to us. Similarly, in our personal lives we usually have evidence when our lives are out of balance. For me, imbalance shows up as forgotten appointments, being sharp with my children or colleagues, and daydreaming of long rest periods. For a manager, the symptoms that indicate personal lack of balance might be an increase in interpersonal conflicts at work and at home, working longer hours with less productivity, and habitually canceling personal appointments or time with family.

The unstarred questions assess positive elements of the organization and the starred questions assess negative elements. When you have completed the questionairre, click on “Tabulate Questionnaire Results” so your scores may be calculated. You will then be taken to a page which shows your percentage scores for each category. You may find, for example, that materially your company does well 85 percent of the time, but emotionally it is only 40 percent effective. Please remember that this is not a scientific measurement but merely gives a general idea of how your organization is doing.