Innovating Success Story

Certified Mental Performance Consultants® (CMPCs) introduce new ideas and promote important and lasting change in athletes, performers, teams, and organizations. Examples of activities include shedding light on the role of psychological processes in performance striving, applying psychological science that leads to sustained optimal performance, and providing evidence-based practices that are steeped in an informed understanding of the specific performance domain. In this success story, a CMPC innovates with a tactical team to improve group functioning and optimize unit performance in pressure situations.

A military unit, facing the pressures of a demanding operational environment, struggled with a lack of purpose, motivation, and team cohesiveness. As performance and morale declined, leadership decided to invite a CMPC to embed with the team for two weeks during their deployment. The goal was to help the unit overcome mental and emotional roadblocks, boost performance, and improve overall well-being. 

1. Enhance Group Cohesion and Communication: The CMPC conducted team-building exercises aimed at fostering open communication and mutual support. By encouraging trust-building activities and facilitating group discussions, the CMPC helped the unit members express their concerns and frustrations, fostering a more unified and supportive team dynamic.
2. Manage Stress and Combat Fatigue: To help the unit cope with high stress and fatigue, the CMPC introduced stress management techniques, including deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and progressive muscle relaxation. These techniques were tailored to the operational environment, allowing soldiers to implement them quickly in the field to reduce stress and maintain focus.
3. Develop a Sense of Purpose and Motivation: The CMPC worked with individual soldiers to help them rediscover their personal motivations for serving and contributing to the unit’s mission. Using motivational interviewing techniques, the CMPC helped each member reflect on their values, goals, and reasons for joining the military, ultimately restoring a sense of purpose within the group.
4. Optimize Mental Focus Under Pressure: The CMPC introduced mental skills training such as attentional control, visualization, and self-talk to help soldiers stay focused during high-pressure situations. These techniques were particularly helpful during mission planning and execution, where the ability to focus on critical tasks could impact both performance and safety.
5. Set Short- and Long-Term Goals for Performance: The CMPC guided the unit in setting both individual and collective goals. These goals focused on immediate mission success as well as long-term professional and personal development, helping soldiers maintain motivation and track progress even in the midst of challenging conditions. 

Outcome: By the end of the two-week period, the unit reported significant improvements in communication, motivation, and overall cohesion. Soldiers felt more connected to one another, were better able to manage stress, and had a renewed sense of purpose, contributing to improved performance both during missions and in daily operations.