Chief executives are responsible for a multitude of responsibilities and decision-making. They're master delegators, multitaskers, and referees (as needed). But lately, a new set of skills, including emotional support and empathy, are required of the C-Suite, paving the way for a happier, healthier working environment.
For decades companies have prioritized their employees' physical health, encouraging yearly physicals and touting perks like gym memberships and reimbursement for other activities. But only recently have organizations started investing in mental health, too; a concept many businesses are still grappling to incorporate.
What is Workplace Wellness?
Workplace wellness refers to the promotion and availability of activities and tools that support a positive, healthy mindset. Why is it so crucial for companies to pay attention to their employees’ mental health? For starters, happy employees lead to better production and less turnover. They also tend to be better team players and take fewer sick days and leave of absence, saving valuable time and money.
How Happy Are Your Employees?
Company leaders influence the overall culture and attitude of their organization. While they might think employees are happy, many studies show there’s room for improvement. One survey, in particular, found only a little more than half of employees feel their well-being is prioritized. It starts with supporting initiatives for better mental health, but if people aren’t responding to them or know how to access the necessary support, it may be time for change.
Dan Schwabel, workplace researcher, podcast host, and career expert explains the challenge. “The [well-being] complication is that there’s no one-size-fits-all. Every company is different depending on geography within their organization, business function, where people are working, and all these different things. And so, it is ongoing conversations that managers and their employees have with each other to try and make it work, tweak their communication, tweak how they operate to make work more manageable and healthier.”
Workplace wellness is a fluid initiative requiring input from many facets of the organization, but worth prioritizing for an all-around better office environment and culture.
Promoting Positivity in the Workplace
Two key factors are repeatedly mentioned when it comes to implementing goals for a more positive workplace. The first begins with transparency. The easier it is for employees to reach out to leaders in times of difficulty or need, the more likely they are to be open and honest about what’s troubling them. Those who promote self-awareness and aren't afraid to be vulnerable themselves will also resonate more with others.
The second comes down to attitude. The way chief executives communicate about the company and its operations affects others. Happiness is contagious. Leaders should use their position of authority to promote a more enjoyable working climate. Share inspirational messages and vision statements, and give positive reinforcement freely to set the tone you want others to emulate.
Today’s workforce is less likely to tolerate jobs that make them unhappy, supporting the need for a greater focus on wellness and job satisfaction. C-Suite executives can no longer overlook these conversations. Instead, they must prioritize the health and happiness of every employee to ensure their well-being needs will be met.
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