From Intention to Action: How CEOs Can Make Workplace Wellness a Reality

What does it take to create a thriving, human-centered workplace culture?

For Dan Simons , co-owner of the Founding Farmers Restaurant Group , and Bershan Shaw , entrepreneur, leadership coach, and founder of Urawarrior , the answer is simple: Executives must normalize conversations about mental health and embed wellness practices into their company's foundation.

There are plenty of conversations being had to support a strong return on investment when it comes to cultivating a culture of wellness: reduced turnover, improved employee satisfaction and enhanced productivity — all which outweigh the costs of implementing mental health programs.

Organizations that prioritize wellness also stand out in the competitive labor market, becoming the employers of choice for mission-driven Generation Z and millennial workers alike.

“If you don’t care about your employees, they won’t care about the company,” says Shaw. “Our ethos is creativity, communication and collaboration. That’s why wellness is integrated into everything we do.”

But culture shifts in both established and newer businesses don’t happen overnight.

“Before you get strategic, which then leads to getting tactical, you gotta get human,” says Simons.

In a recent conversation hosted by YPO, Simons and Shaw shared insights on how businesses can support their employees' well-being while simultaneously driving productivity and growth. Their stories underscore a powerful truth: Mental health is not just a personal issue — it’s a business imperative. Here are some steps you can take now:

Start at the top

When leaders open up, they signal to their employees that they are safe to do the same. Simons views this not as a vulnerability but simply being human.

“If you can’t get real, no one else will feel safe to do so,” says Simons. “And you should want all of your employees to be human; otherwise they’re pretending to be something they're not,” he says.

“We have to stop making it seem like our lives are perfect when they’re not.”

Adds Shaw, “We have to stop making it seem like our lives are perfect when they’re not.”

Both Simons and Shaw have faced significant health challenges that shaped their journeys as leaders. Shaw defied incredible odds, triumphing over a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, while Simons has had to navigate the profound impact of a debilitating concussion that disrupted his daily life for an extended period. Both have been open with their teams about their struggles.

And the top-down approach goes beyond the CEO; the entire leadership team sets the tone for the organization.

To get your leadership team onboard, Simons and Shaw suggest an offsite retreat, where top executives can share personal challenges and explore how the company can better support its people.?

It’s what you say…

Normalize conversations about mental health at every level of the organization. Mention your own experiences with therapy, stress or self-care during team meetings.

“Mental health is just health. What’s the difference if someone says, ‘I need an Advil,’ versus, ‘I need my Zoloft’?”

“Mental health is just health. What’s the difference if someone says, ‘I need an Advil,’ versus, ‘I need my Zoloft’?” asks Simons.

An organization’s vocabulary can play a significant role in promoting mental health. For example, consider how your PTO policy is worded. Does it explicitly include time off for illness or doctor’s appointments? Update your employee handbook to provide inclusive examples, such as: “PTO can be used for appointments with medical professionals, including dentists, cardiologists, psychologists, etc.”

Demonstrating that mental well-being has been considered in even the smallest details can make a meaningful impact on employees.

…AND how you say it

Empathy and emotional intelligence are essential skills, Shaw and Simon argue. They advise incorporating mental health awareness and active listening into your management training.

“Teach your directors and managers soft skills. Ask them to keep track of how many times they say, ‘How are you?’ And then make sure they’re not just walking past but stopping, looking people in the eye, and really listening,” says Simons.

Provide perks with purpose

Supporting employee wellness goes beyond good intentions — it requires meaningful action.

Giving employees easy access to mental health tools and platforms is one way to put your money where your mouth is. Apps like Talkspace or Urawarrior are great for providing discreet, flexible support. Bonus points if you extend these benefits to employees’ families.

Additionally, incorporate mental wellness days into your PTO policy or designate specific days for employees to recharge. Communicate that these aren’t just nice-to-haves but a core part of your company culture.

“I give my employees a mental wellness day. I tell them, ‘Take a Friday. Go take a walk. Take care of yourself.’ It’s about showing that you care,” says Shaw.

The effort is worth the investment

Investing in wellness isn’t always easy, especially during challenging times, but it’s a critical part of building trust and loyalty within your organization.

Start by redirecting a portion of recruitment or training funds toward initiatives like therapy subsidies, wellness retreats or mindfulness workshops. The benefits — lower turnover and increased employee satisfaction — will soon outweigh the costs.

And when times are tough, like during layoffs or restructuring, don’t let wellness take a back seat. Provide mental health resources alongside career counseling to support employees through transitions.

Simons emphasizes, “If you’re offering outplacement services during layoffs, add mental health support too. Employees will know you truly care about them, not just the bottom line.”

Watch the full discussion here: YPO Presents: Building a Wellness Culture in Organizations

?? Want to learn more about YPO membership? Visit https://on.ypo.org/40zidd9 to get started.

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About the Author

Mary Mack is a writer and digital content strategist. She earned her news-editorial journalism degree from the 美国伊利诺伊大学香槟分校 and has a background covering arts, culture, food and entrepreneurship. She is a proud St. Louisan who enjoys cooking, reading and sharing the stories of interesting and inspiring people.