Insights And Updates

The Role of Leaders in Workplace Well-Being and Building an Inspired Healthy Team

By: Anne Goodall

Key Takeaways:

Leading the Way to a Thriving Workplace

In today’s hectic workplace, it’s effortless to overlook the fact that our employees are more than mere components. They’re individuals with lives, families, and, most importantly, mental and physical health. As someone who’s spent years championing well-being in the workplace, I can’t stress enough how crucial a healthy work environment is for productivity, job satisfaction, and overall success.

But here’s the thing: fostering that environment doesn’t just happen by chance. It takes leadership.

The Leadership Ripple Effect

The High Cost of Poor Leadership

I’ve often compared leaders to pebbles thrown into a pond. Their actions create ripples that spread throughout the entire organization. If a leader is supportive, empathetic, and prioritises well-being, those qualities tend to cascade down, fostering a culture of positivity and support. But if a leader is dismissive, overly critical, or fosters an atmosphere of fear, it can create a toxic environment that erodes employee well-being.

One of the IT companies I worked for in Dublin was a software distributor that was owned and managed by an American guy who was very much into a particular sport. When I had my interview with this guy, it was a lengthy interview and he made the organisation sound absolutely amazing.

However, having joined his business, it only took me a number of weeks to realise that unless a person was involved in this particular sport, they would be very much an outsider. People who the managing director hung out with outside of work were the absolute favourites in the company and other staff, including myself, were treated like second class citizens.

What was even more disturbing was that this guy was incredibly financially insecure and didn’t want to spend money to grow the business. This was one of the most toxic work environments I have ever experienced, with the toxicity being driven by the top management. This resulted in a high staff turnover and a very poor culture.

Research indicates that inadequate leadership can result in adverse outcomes, such as reduced productivity, elevated absenteeism, turnover rates, and even mental health problems (Wolor et al., 2022).

This is especially concerning in light of the current Australian workplace landscape, where stress levels are alarmingly high. A recent report highlighted that 34% of Australian employees reported lower mental health levels compared to just six months prior, with 37% also noting decreased engagement and a diminished sense of belonging (Sander, 2023). This underscores the critical need for leaders to prioritise creating a supportive and empowering work environment to safeguard the well-being of their teams.

Consider this: it’s challenging to feel motivated or engaged in your work if you’re continuously concerned about receiving criticism or punishment for making a mistake. Stress and overwhelm can easily lead to neglect of your physical and mental health, making it extremely difficult to break this vicious cycle.

Resilience: The Leadership Advantage

On the other hand, good leadership can be a powerful tool for building employee resilience. When leaders are transparent, empathetic, and optimistic, they create a sense of trust and psychological safety. This allows employees to feel comfortable taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from them.

I remember working with a team that was facing a particularly challenging project. The team faced an impending deadline with significant stakes. But their leader, instead of resorting to pressure tactics, focused on fostering a sense of collaboration and support. She encouraged open communication, acknowledged the challenges, and provided resources and guidance.

The result? The team not only met the deadline but also exceeded expectations. They learned valuable lessons and emerged from the experience stronger and more resilient.

Leading from the Top Down

Creating a truly healthy workplace requires a top-down approach. Leaders must prioritise their well-being if they expect their employees to do the same. When leaders model healthy behaviours, like taking breaks, setting boundaries, and prioritising self-care, it sends a powerful message to the rest of the organisation.

Think about it this way: if your boss is constantly working late and skipping lunch, it’s going to take a lot of work for you to feel comfortable taking time for yourself. However, if your boss encourages you to prioritise your health, take breaks, and maintain a healthy work-life balance, it fosters a culture that values well-being.

Building a Comprehensive Well-Being Program

Of course, creating a healthy workplace requires more than good leadership. It requires a comprehensive well-being program that addresses employees’ physical, mental, and emotional needs. This might include offering flexible work arrangements, providing access to mental health resources, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices.

But even the best well-being program won’t be effective if leaders aren’t on board. They need to be actively involved in promoting and participating in the program. They must receive training on identifying and addressing signs of employee stress and burnout. We need to hold them accountable for fostering a workplace culture that prioritises well-being.

Measuring and Evaluating Well-Being Initiatives

It’s also important to track the effectiveness of your well-being initiatives. This might involve conducting employee surveys, tracking absenteeism and turnover rates, and gathering employee feedback. Regularly evaluating your programs allows you to identify areas for improvement and ensure that your efforts have a positive impact.

The Healthy Workspace: Empowering Leaders and Teams

At The Healthy Workspace, we’re passionate about helping organisations create workplaces where employees thrive. We offer training and consulting services to empower leaders and teams to prioritise well-being.

Remember, a healthy workplace isn’t just about reducing stress and burnout. It’s about creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. That starts with leadership.