Leaders: The Strongest or Weakest Link in Organizational Culture?

A staggering 91% of leaders in the public sector and 77% in the private sector report experiencing significant levels of exhaustion. Additionally, 82% of women and 75% of men in leadership roles have reported feeling burnt out?(Deloitte United States ).

In recent years, the mental health of leaders has increasingly become a focal point of numerous studies focused on developing organizational culture and achieving goals.

Taking care of and maintaining mental health is no longer just an individual concern; it directly affects the quality of interpersonal relationships and, consequently, the success of the organization.

The lack of awareness about the importance of mental health care has negative effects on both the effectiveness of leaders and their teams.

1. Burnout and Reduced Efficiency

Inadequate mental health care leads to burnout, manifesting as physical and emotional exhaustion, increased cynicism, and decreased work efficiency.

Leaders experiencing burnout often struggle to perform their duties effectively, which also impacts the efficiency of their team.

2. Impact on Decision-Making

Stress and emotional challenges also affect the quality of decision-making.

Leaders under stress often make impulsive or overly cautious decisions, which can negatively impact the strategic direction of the company.

3. Deterioration of Interpersonal Relationships

Poor mental health care contributes to less effective communication and an increased risk of conflicts in the workplace.

Leaders with compromised mental health have difficulties establishing and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, which reduces engagement and the ability to collaborate within the team.

4. Increased Absenteeism and Employee Turnover

Mental health issues often lead to more frequent sick leaves and increased employee turnover.

When leaders lose the ability to perform their duties effectively, it places additional burdens on other team members, leading to greater exhaustion and considerations of leaving the job.

5. Inhibition of Creativity and Competitiveness

Creative thinking and innovation are often among the first casualties of ineffective leadership due to declining mental health.

Stress and fear about the future significantly hinder out-of-the-box thinking and the development of new ideas, which accelerates the company's stagnation and loss of competitiveness.

6. Risk of More Serious Health Issues

Prolonged stress and deteriorating mental health lead to more serious health problems, particularly heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression.

These issues not only affect efficiency but also the overall quality of life.

7. Impact on Organizational Culture

Leaders who neglect the importance of continuous mental health care often fail to create a positive organizational climate.

This contributes to reduced employee loyalty and engagement, an unfavorable organizational environment, and the company's diminished attractiveness as an employer in the job market.

By addressing these consequences, organizations can create a healthier, more productive work environment that benefits both leaders and their teams.

Ensuring the strengthening of mental health is becoming a core leadership responsibility

Helping leaders grow without teaching them the importance of taking care of their mental health for the long run doesn't make much sense.

The level of a leader's awareness of mental health importance is reflected in their:

• Attitude Towards the Body
• Mental Mindset
• Communication Style

Body: The Power of Habits

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 30% of employees are exposed to uncontrollable stress, which lowers their productivity and increases sick leave.

I haven't met a leader who doesn't face increased pressure at work at some point, due to the heavy tasks and responsibilities they carry. This often negatively impacts their well-being and health.

Long work hours, making tough decisions, and stress can lead to burnout and other physical and mental health issues.

A leader's physical well-being directly affects the quality of their relationships.

A healthy attitude towards their body helps leaders build resilience to stress, increasing their engagement and awareness of their role in the organization. This also strengthens trust and respect within the team.

Leaders who actively take care of their physical health are more resistant to stress, which helps them handle unexpected challenges more effectively.

By prioritizing their own physical health, leaders set a positive example for others, promoting a culture of well-being and efficiency within the organization.

Bad habits, like poor diet, lack of sleep, ineffective breathing, lack of exercise, and neglecting relaxation, directly affect our mental and emotional well-being. Building physical endurance in our daily routine is crucial for maintaining mental health.

If we find ourselves feeling irritable, anxious, impatient, or generally unwell, it's important to check our habits.

Regular exercise is one of the most important "boosters" for our brain's capacity. Today, with the support of science, we know that the brain is an incredible muscle that does not lose its flexibility with age, provided we take proper care of it.

The ability to stay calm and focused under pressure directly impacts the rest of the team, leading to more balanced decisions and, consequently, better business results.

Mental Mindset: The Power of Perspective

Research confirms that leaders who focus on the positive aspects of their work can increase employee engagement by as much as 23%.

Where we direct our attention is where we direct our energy—through physical and behavioral responses, words, gestures, and non-verbal communication.

Constantly focusing only on challenges and problems can lead to a "negative spiral" of feelings. In contrast, focusing on finding solutions and opportunities fosters positivity and proactivity.

Such leaders are also more effective in inspiring and encouraging employees. They are significantly better at recognizing and leveraging given opportunities, even in less favorable conditions, which shows increased resilience and strengthened strategic thinking.

This optimistic outlook is not only "contagious," but it also contributes to improving well-being and efficiency in the workplace. Employees perceive this as providing a higher level of support and mutual trust.

Language: The Power of Words

According to a study published in Harvard Business Review, leaders who use encouraging language can improve team performance by more than 30%.

The words leaders use when expressing opinions and viewpoints can either boost or lower team morale.

A leader's perspective is also reflected in their communication style.

By focusing on positive achievements and providing constructive feedback, leaders significantly contribute to building mutual trust and encouraging open dialogue, which leads to more effective achievement of organizational goals.

Encouraging language positively impacts employees' confidence and motivation, while negative language can increase self-doubt and decrease engagement.

Leaders who use positive words in communication foster a culture of mutual encouragement and support. This strengthens bonds within the team and enhances employees' feelings of being valued, seen, and heard.

Leaders who understand the importance of language are also better equipped to resolve conflicts, contributing to better well-being and stronger relationships in the workplace.

Effective communication remains the most important leadership tool.

Last Words

Understanding the importance of mental health is increasingly becoming the tipping point between whether a leader is the strongest or weakest link in an organization.

By strengthening three key areas of awareness—attitude towards the body, mental mindset, and communication style—leaders can significantly enhance their well-being amidst daily challenges in the workplace. This, in turn, directly influences organizational culture and creates a positive environment.

Leaders who prioritize and maintain optimal mental health foster exceptional interpersonal relationships, inspire their teams, and achieve better business results with their support.

Prioritizing mental health is not only beneficial but also crucial for the long-term success of an organization.

The Power of Positive Leadership: How and Why Positive Leaders Transform Teams and Organizations and Change the World?by Jon Gordon

We aren't positive because life is easy; we're positive because life can be hard.

As a leader, you will face numerous obstacles, negativity, and tests. Sometimes, it may feel like everything is against you, and your vision seems more like a fantasy. That's why positive leadership is essential! It's not about fake positivity; it's the genuine approach that makes great leaders successful.

Research shows that positive leadership isn't just nice; it's necessary to build a great culture, unite your organization during adversity, develop a committed team, and achieve excellence.

Since writing the bestseller "The Energy Bus," Jon Gordon has worked with leaders who have transformed their companies, won national championships, and are changing the world.

He has interviewed top leaders and researched positive leadership throughout history. In this book, Gordon shares his insights, offering a comprehensive framework on positive leadership with proven principles, compelling stories, and practical ideas to help anyone become a positive leader.

When we can't change the circumstances, we are called to transform ourselves.

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