Have you ever heard the saying ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup’? CEOs
and business owners, I’m looking at you!
We recently discussed the critical importance of fostering wellbeing in the
workplace and the positive impact that doing so can have on both people
and profit. In this article, we’re building further on this topic by shining the
spotlight on what is arguably the key piece to any organisation’s wellbeing
puzzle: mentally healthy leaders.
Mental health issues among CEOs and leaders is a worldwide issue. A 2022
Deloitte survey of executives in the UK, the US, Canada and Australia found
that one in three C-suite executives constantly struggles with fatigue and
poor mental health and as many as 70% have considered quitting their
jobs to try to reset their emotional balance. Kiwi leaders are not exempt,
with research from MYOB showing 32% of business owners have suffered a
mental health issue since owning their company.
Business leaders struggling with poor mental health are more likely to
report difficulty with decision-making, relationship management and work
performance, as well as physical manifestations of mental stress, such as
high blood pressure and heart disease. While these are reasons alone
ought to be enough for leaders to get their mental health in check, there’s
a second factor at play here too; a business leader demonstrating poor
mental health can create a negative ripple effect throughout an
organisation, potentially undoing all the good work of those well-
intentioned wellbeing policies and employee support programmes.
On the flip side, a business leader that actively nurtures their mental
health can positively influence an organisation’s success. Let’s take a closer
look at what happens when leaders treat their own mental wellbeing as
the business critical priority that it is.
You’ll reduce stigma:
Mental health issues often come with a social stigma, which can prevent
people from seeking help. Business leaders who are open about their own
mental health struggles or strategies (or both) can encourage others to
speak up and seek help if they need to.
You’ll positively influence your organisational culture:
The way business leaders behave sets the tone for the entire workplace. If
you, as a business leader, prioritise your mental health, it gives other
employees permission to do the same and sends a powerful message that
mental health matters.
You’ll improve productivity:
Mental health issues can have a significant impact on productivity. If
employees are struggling with their mental health, they may have
difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or completing tasks. Taking
action to foster mental wellbeing and supporting employees with issues
when they arise can help avoid disruption and presenteeism issues.
You’ll attract and retain talent:
Employees today are looking for more than just a pay cheque. They’re
increasingly seeking out organisations that value their wellbeing and
prioritise their mental health. By leading by example when it comes to
mental health, leaders can help to attract and retain top talent.
You’ll boost awareness of mental health:
By speaking openly about mental health, business leaders can help to
raise awareness about the importance of mental health in the workplace.
This can lead to more discussions about mental health, more resources
being allocated to mental health programmes, better engagement with
employee health offerings and, ultimately, a healthier and more
productive workforce.
Top tips for executive wellbeing
Practice self-care:
Take care of your physical health by eating well, getting enough sleep and
exercising regularly. Self-care can also include things like taking breaks
during the workday, practicing mindfulness or meditation and pursuing
hobbies or other activities that encourage balance.
Set boundaries:
It’s important to set boundaries between work and personal life. Heavy
workloads can make it feel challenging to disconnect from work, but it's
important to carve out time for family, friends and other non-work
activities to avoid burnout.
Ask for support:
Just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean you have to have all the
answers. CEOs and business leaders need help too. This can include talking
to a therapist, confiding in a trusted friend or family member, or joining a
leadership peer support group.
Take time off:
Don’t cash-in your annual leave, use it! Time off is essential
for mental health and wellbeing. Consider taking regular vacations or even
the occasional mental health days to recharge.
We can help.
Creating a culture of wellbeing and supporting a diverse workforce to
thrive can be a daunting task. If you need support reflecting on your
current mental wellbeing, or would like assistance developing a plan for
your leadership team, or wider business, we can help.
Our initial chat is always free, and if you decide you’d like some
independent, impartial and up-to-date support, you can make use of our
qualified HR expertise for as little as an hour, or as long as you’d like. It’s up
to you.