A lot of executives have adopted "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," the best-selling book by Stephen Covey. But Arkansas-based J.B. Hunt Transport recently won an award for adapting the program for everyone in the company, including drivers and mechanics.

According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, about two years ago, the company started putting its managers through a three-day workshop based on the book. But it soon realized its drivers could benefit as well. A team from the company that markets the book and the course worked with J.B. Hunt to develop a one-day version designed for truck drivers and mechanics.
The course was rolled out in August. Each month, 10 to 15 employees attend the course. They are encouraged to bring their spouses. Eric Airola, director of training and development at the carrier, said that they hoped the course would help drivers achieve more balance in their lives and help them deal with the stressful situations they face on the road.
As a result of the highly unusual top-to-bottom training, J.B. Hunt received a 1999 Organization of Excellence Award at the Franklin Covey Sixth Annual International Symposium last month.