Leadership Vitality: Building a Culture Where Success and Wellbeing Coexist
Nov 04, 2024
This week is International Stress Awareness Week. Crucial topic - one I coach on daily.
Stress. Why do we suffer from it, and how can we recognise it early enough and navigate a completely different way to prevent, manage and avoid a stressed based society.
My whole work is pretty much dedicated to getting leaders and their teams out of stress based living and working and into achieving a better mindset - for sustainable success. Especially as we navigate a very complicated landscape both personally and professionally.
As I mention in the book Radical Self Belief - technology keeps getting upgrades but our human hard drive isn’t meant to be rebooted all the time, and at that pace.
“A new terrain requires a new roadmap”
So rather than trying to fight to "keep up with tech", I like to support the CEO’s and corporations I work with to unlock a unique and incredibly powerful blend: mastering human significance and intellect with the AI driven world we operate in.
The very first part of this is knowing that as a leader, your actions have a ripple effect far beyond what you say. By putting wellbeing, ME time, mindset and genuine continuous learning front and centre you are more likely to motivate your teams and workforce by 85% to do the very same.
Leadership isn’t just about driving performance; it's about creating a culture where sustainable success and wellbeing go hand in hand.
“When leaders actively model a work/life blend, carve out essential "ME time," and cultivate mental health routines, they do more than inspire—they set the benchmark for a workplace that values its people and drives lasting performance”.
I actively call this being the CEO of your life as well as your business*. And everyone can adopt this strategy no matter what their title, age or gender.
Let’s explore the key pillars of leadership vitality and why a commitment to work/life BLEND, personal wellbeing, and mental health routines forms the foundation of a thriving, sustainable workplace culture led by example.
1. Workplaces today demand more than metrics.
Team members who see their leaders prioritise mental health and wellbeing naturally feel empowered to do the same, leading to higher motivation, reduced burnout, and an environment where high performance isn’t achieved at the cost of personal wellbeing.
Effective leadership transcends traditional metrics, focusing on fostering a culture where employee wellbeing and organisational success are intertwined.
You can measure this, and we do, when it comes to ROI. The most simple way to see this is reduced sick days, higher retention and increased productivity and engagement.
It goes far beyond that - but the top line aspects of a healthy, motivated and genuine leadership team, creates a strong bottom line where profits reflect the people.
When leaders exemplify a balanced work/life approach, prioritise personal wellbeing, and establish positive mental health routines, they set a powerful precedent that motivates teams, reduces burnout, and cultivates a sustainable company culture.
2. The Impact of Leadership on Employee Wellbeing
Recent studies underscore the significant influence of leadership on employee motivation and health.
A survey by Deloitte revealed that 77% of employees experience work-related stress, with 57% reporting negative impacts such as emotional exhaustion and decreased motivation. Notably, 55% of workers believe their employers overestimate the mental healthiness of their workplace, highlighting a disconnect between leadership perception and employee experience.
Furthermore, research indicates that supportive leadership is crucial for employee wellbeing, regardless of the work environment. An American Psychological Association study found that supportive leadership positively correlates with job satisfaction and general wellbeing, whether employees work on-site or remotely.
What you do matters. What you empower others to do models a runway for continuity and consistent changes in a culture where people can manage their weeks better and have the tools to plan, adjust and be proactive in managing their own wellbeing in the way that best suits them.
3. Modelling Work/Life Balance - I actually refer to this very importantly as work/life BLEND.
Leaders who demonstrate a healthy work/life blend signal to their teams that personal wellbeing is a priority. This approach not only reduces stress but also enhances job satisfaction and productivity.
The American Psychological Association's 2023 Work in America Survey found that 95% of workers consider it important to work for an organisation that respects the boundaries between work and non-work time.
We are the sum of our actions not our words. Pilates at lunch time, walk and talks, the wall of healthy habits is a good one too! Little things all add up. Not everyone has to do a marathon to prove they put fitness first - but moving every day and promoting fresh air and healthy food are 2 very basic steps that create longevity in habits at work and at home.
4. Prioritising Personal Wellbeing and "ME Time"
Encouraging employees to take personal time for rest and rejuvenation is essential. Leaders who model this behaviour promote a culture where taking time off is respected.
However, only 40% of workers report that their employer offers a culture where time off is respected, indicating room for improvement. 🤔
I coach teams and leaders on WINNING WEEKS© which promotes transparent planning, agendas that encompass school pick ups, long weekends or a RDO that has been planned in advance. Don't make it complicated, make it consistent.
CLICK HERE to get the free worksheet and video on how to do Winning Weeks.
5. Establishing Positive Mental Health Routines
Implementing mental health practices such as mindfulness and regular exercise can significantly enhance employees' ability to manage stress.
Leaders who integrate these routines into their daily lives and encourage their teams to do the same contribute to a healthier, more resilient workforce.
My rule of thumb is micro moments. Be present, set parts in your day where you regroup - slow down for a second and you give yourself a minute back. Making conscious decisions is far more productive than being reactive and not giving a pause before a purposeful answer.
This takes practice but it is very helpful to train your team to be focused, finish a task before doing 25 others partially and set reasonable expectations for deadlines, responses and respecting each others time.
6. Leading by Example
Authentic leadership involves openly sharing personal strategies for maintaining balance and mental health. I don’t recommend doing an Olympic Distance Triathlon with no training - which is what I did on the weekend and it was brutal but a bunch of fun. :)
I do however, recommend sharing goals, being active and putting workouts, walks and fresh air sessions actively in your agenda.
How can you expect your team to show up to work ready to go if you’re dragging yourself in every morning complaining about how tired and frustrated you are.
7. Make the change you want to see.
This transparency builds trust and fosters an environment where employees feel safe to express their needs. PLOS ONE found that engaging leadership positively impacts employee engagement and team effectiveness, mediated by personal and team resources. Triple whammy!
I'm a coach who is very much promoting the shift in mindset of replacing I have to with I get to. I don't deal in excuses, I will reframe those into reasons.
Move out of seeing culture and wellbeing as a chore to attain in your workplace and just lead by example. I guarantee you the results of a simple but well integrated plan that suits you and your employees - will exceed your expectations, and theirs.
If you have any questions on how to unlock this magic please ask me - I’ve got 4 books, 5 courses, over 350 videos and dedicated my whole career to work/life blend and peak performance. So please reach out. [email protected]
“Success does not come at the expense of your health - quite the contrary. The best leaders are healthy, wealthy and wise. Mindset is where you maximise your profit”. Nikki
Embracing leadership vitality by prioritising work/life balance, personal well being, and mental health routines is not just beneficial but essential for creating a sustainable company culture. By leading by example, leaders can motivate their teams, reduce burnout, and establish an environment where both individuals and organisations thrive.
As we advance in our leadership journeys and our digital world, let's commit to fostering workplaces where vitality and success coexist, setting the stage for a thriving future for all.
Here’s some free tools
Founder Fitness Goal Set Done What do you Want your world to look like?
Books
*Be the CEO of Your Life as Well as Your Business - Fitpreneur, Healthy Wealthy & Wise.
Radical Self Belief - Adulting the Rally of Life - 7 Steps from Stressed to Success
VITALITY - Fast simple fitness with no fuss for fast busy people :)
CEO and Founder Retreat
ONE PLACE LEFT ON OUR NOVEMBER NOOSA RETREAT 22-24NOV ~ OUR LAST ONE FOR THE YEAR to set up your 2025 game plan - book here www.nikkifogdenmoore.com/theboardroomreteat
PS thank you for all the messages about me racing Noosa Tri this last Sunday. I met some amazing people, gave it everything I had and was pretty happy with a 3hr7min finish (imagine what I could do if I had trained)!
The point is - we GET to do so much. Don’t let weeks and months go by where you are "going to when x y z happens". Lock in some positive changes now. Your own wellbeing will increase and you’ll inspire your staff that it’s never too late to make the micro steps for masterful months.
