What if the next pandemic was not a physical health crisis, but a mental health one? Between recording rate burnout, stress, etc., it may have already happened. But after a year of calls for actionn of frames and World Leaders same thing, I don’t think we’ve made enough progress on that. Some of our workplaces harm our mental health more than they help.
According to World Health Organization.
As former staff manager and now editor obsessed with the world of work, I saw the culprit: a lack of ownership. Companies are addressing mental health as an individual problem rather than adequately addressing systemic behaviors that could compound the problem.
Instead of addressing individuals, we need to rework the system. But where should companies focus? One way to change the system is to hire positions that have a direct impact on the mental health and well-being of your employees.
Whose job is it anyway?
It’s increasingly difficult for managers to be everything to their employees: a kind motivator, a strategic visionary, a gentle encouragement, a detailed project planner, and more. But companies are starting to realize the shortcomings of this demand and lighten the load with new roles that can help improve employee mental health. There are a multitude of roles that companies should consider investing in. See some of them here, as the people filling them in right now say.
🧑🏽🏫 The Director of Training
Training managers can be key partners in introducing employees not only to organizational tasks and policies, but also to company culture, values and commitments. That’s what Joe Hubbard made in Thrive globally, an employee well-being consulting firm. In addition to focusing on customer training, he also focuses internally. Joe attends leadership trainings to empower managers to provide compassionate feedback, and he’s crucial support for teammates in need: he’s brought in for performance coaching and non-HR support for any struggling Thriver. , from dealing with impostor syndrome to acclimating to a new role.
What is the direct impact of your role on the mental health and well-being of employees?
I coach at Thrive to help people live our cultural values and stay true to their wellness journeys. I help our team members identify mindset shifts and micro-steps they can take to immediately improve their well-being and mental health. It could help them sleep better, take on a challenge with a family member, or better prioritize their workload to make sure the most important things get done first.
What behaviors should a company focus on to get the impact of a role like yours?
Communicating with a compassionate candor is a game-changer. Compassionate candor means we continually seek out and share real-time feedback, always with compassion. This is how we grow, evolve and overcome challenges together. We can’t improve without sharing feedback in the moment, and for a culture to truly thrive, it must be done with empathy and understanding – we don’t believe in rewarding brilliant fools!
🤝 People are a business partner
HR Business Partners can provide strategic support on people-related initiatives, from employee resourcing to policy advice that can provide teams with better emotional support. It’s like that Tami Pit fits into Baird, a financial services company. She is responsible for working with executives to develop better leaders through coaching, consulting on talent engagement and retention, and talking directly to workers about what they need.
What is the direct impact of your role on the mental health and well-being of employees?
I work directly with employees when they have mental health issues or need coaching or resources, often acting as a leave liaison. I also train leaders on how to support an employee with mental health issues.
What behaviors should a company focus on to get the impact of a role like yours?
Patience – retain the need for immediate action. Actively support when others pass judgment without information. Sit in their discomfort instead of always needing to fix the problem.
👂 The External Leadership Coach
External leadership consultants and coaches may be brought in to build leaders’ skills in targeted areas, including their mental and emotional well-being, which helps them better support their teams. Katie Rasoul is an executive leadership coach and the founder of awesome team. His coaching aims to help leaders explore possibilities and potential for themselves, others and their organizations.
What is the direct impact of your role on the mental health and well-being of employees?
I have an impact on the thoughts, feelings and actions of leaders, which creates a real impact on their teams. In advisory roles, I challenge leaders to think about how they directly create psychological safety, a sense of belonging, and space for themselves within their team. Coaches act as a neutral, non-judgmental party to help leaders understand the impact of their practices on the experiences of their employees.
What behaviors should a company focus on to get the impact of a role like yours?
Ask open and challenging questions instead of telling. These questions are often short, starting with who, where, when or how, and are [intended] arouse reflection and awareness of the other person. Good coaching questions lead to clarity and confidence in your team about next steps.
🔭 The General Manager
The pandemic has pushed increase in calls that companies are responsible for both their employees and their communities. It’s no wonder, then, that chief executives, or leaders tasked with leading an organization’s initiatives for good, are on the rise. Kwasi Mitchell Leads these programs at Deloitte, where he is responsible for embedding purpose in everything the organization does and driving commitments to sustainability, diversity, equity and trust. Its scope also includes Deloitte’s internal work to inspire its employees to feel connected to their own purpose.
What is the direct impact of your role on the mental health and well-being of employees?
My collaboration with our head of wellbeing, Jen Fisher, is essential in helping our employees discover their purpose, essential to their well-being and central to our endeavors as an organization. Our goal is to embed a mental health focus into all aspects of our employees’ talent experience at Deloitte. My role is also to contribute to the well-being of the communities in which we work.
What behaviors should a company focus on to get the impact of a role like yours?
First, connect your team’s day-to-day activities to the overall goal of the organization. It starts with listening to your employees to understand what they find meaningful about their work and providing them with avenues of opportunity to engage in ways that align with their personal purpose and that of the organization.
🆘 Relief call for leaders
Leaders are responsible for too many heads and hearts to leave them free and overloaded. They make or break the performance of the company, the team and the individual on a daily basis. It’s time to assess our antiquated systems and practices to consider the many ways we can relieve, equip, and enable leaders to succeed at their highest use. By introducing dedicated wellbeing roles, we can improve outcomes for everyone at work.
More resources for well-being at work
🌊 Coaching cultures can create a wave of change at work. Even sometimes small positive changes of a few people can help everyone prioritize helping others grow.
💗 Want to evolve empathy? What chief doctor think you need.
🏃🏿♀️ You can train your brain for success by thinking like an athlete. Consider moments of state of mind and more.
🦶 Can walk and talk improve your corporate culture?
🧠 Managing a diagnosis of mental illness can be its own leadership skill. This is how a leader with bipolar 2 focused on well-being in their work.
You have the memo
Send news, comments or ideas for roles that make a difference in workplace mental health to aoakes@qz.com. This edition of The Memo was brought to you by:
✨ Editor of Quartz at Work, Anna Oakes, who wants to give everyone their own every awesome officer (CEAO). Are you in?
🏢 Our Deputy Editor, Gabrielle Riccardiwho is ready to see well-being in the office corner.
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