Leading Forward: From Rising Stars to Workplace Wellness

The Learnit Lens??

Weekly Insights for Insatiable Learners??

In this edition of the Learnit Lens, you’ll gain essential insights for today’s leaders—from empowering first-time managers to exploring the crucial role of self-awareness, we're tackling the challenges that matter most. Don't miss Chris Widener's unconventional wisdom on leadership strategy, plus revealing new research on workplace wellness that could unlock billions in economic value.??

Free Live Events at Learnit??

The New Leader's Lab: Set Your Rising Stars Up for Success in Their First 100 Days??

Is your organization's success being impacted by the steep learning curve facing first-time people leaders? If your newly promoted managers struggle with the leap from doing to leading, Learnit's free quarterly leadership acceleration workshop can fast-track their success.??

They’ll gain:?

• Practical, immediately applicable management techniques?
• Real-world insights from seasoned leaders who share their hard-won lessons about building high-performing teams*?
• Structured guidance on critical skills like delegation, expectation-setting, and navigating former peer relationships?

What Makes This Workshop Different:?

• Action-Focused Format: 20 minutes of concrete skill-building, 20 minutes of executive insights, and 20 minutes of live Q&A?
• Quarterly Cadence: Regular opportunities to equip your new managers with essential leadership tools?
• Interactive Learning: Real-time problem-solving with experienced facilitators and peer networking?

Business Impact:?

• Reduces costly management mistakes and team turnover?

• Accelerates new manager productivity?

• Builds a stronger leadership pipeline?

• Creates consistent leadership practices across your organization

Don't let your rising stars struggle through their first 100 days. Give them the foundation they need to build high-performing teams from day one.?

March 21 10am PST - 11am PST

Register now to secure spots for your upcoming and potential leaders?

Self-Awareness: The Critical Leadership Skill That Grows More Important as You Rise??

Are you a successful leader who's risen through the ranks, only to find yourself wondering if you've lost touch with how you impact others? In today's AI-driven world, technical skills can be automated - but authentic leadership presence can't be replicated.??

In Episode 3 of The Learn-It-All Podcast’s 11 Skills, AI Will Never Replace podcast series, CEO Damon Lembi , and leadership development expert Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD , tackle one of the most fundamental yet overlooked leadership skills: self-awareness.?In this candid discussion, you’ll learn:?

• Practical techniques for regular self-reflection, including end-of-week emotional check-ins and decision journals??

• How lack of self-awareness can lead to wasted years in the wrong role and diminished impact across an organization??

• The critical connection between self-awareness and building authentic trust with both employees and customers??

• Why younger generations particularly value authentic, self-aware leadership when choosing employers??

• How to recognize when your emotions are signaling the need for a career pivot??

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If you’re ready to start building trust, driving innovation, and leading effectively in today's rapidly evolving business landscape, this episode is for you. ?

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Listen now on Apple or Spotify!

Looking to accelerate your leadership journey???

The latest episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast features a fascinating conversation with Chris Widener, who discovered that the secret to massive success isn't always pushing to be number one - it's strategically playing "second fiddle" to the greats.?

?Drawing from his extraordinary path from troubled youth to trusted advisor of business titans like John Maxwell and Zig Ziglar, Widener shares groundbreaking insights on authentic leadership, career strategy, and addressing today's deep societal divisions.?

You’ll learn about:?

• The counterintuitive power of asking "How can I help you?" instead of seeking help from mentors?
• A simple 15-minute daily practice that builds genuine thought leadership?
• Practical wisdom on empowering others to follow their own path rather than forcing your vision?
• Why personal revival and authenticity are essential for bridging today's cultural divides?

Chris Widener is a Wall Street Journal #2 bestselling author who built his career by first serving as ghostwriter and trusted advisor to leadership legends including John Maxwell, Jim Rohn, and Zig Ziglar. He has authored 25 books and speaks to elite business audiences worldwide, including Microsoft, GE, and Harvard Business School.?

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Ready to discover why sometimes the fastest path to the top starts by helping others get there first? Listen now on Apple & Spotify?

The Hidden Costs—and Opportunities—of Workplace Stress?

Recent research from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey Health Institute reveals a startling finding about workplace wellness: only 57% of employees globally report good holistic health, with burnout affecting nearly a quarter of workers. The economic impact is staggering - investing in employee health could generate up to $11.7 trillion in global economic value.??

“There is an urgent need to improve employee health. Stakeholders who take immediate action will reap substantial benefits.”?

The research found that burnout and health challenges aren't limited to any particular industry or role. From accounting to retail to agriculture, no sector is immune. Even upper management faces a paradox - while 80% report good overall health, they experience a higher-than-average burnout rate of 24%.?

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The Cost of Inaction?

The data is clear - companies investing in employee wellbeing could see returns of 17% to 55% of average annual pay per employee.??

In the United States alone, employers face an estimated $226 billion annually in absenteeism costs (approximately $1,695 per employee), primarily driven by chronic health conditions that could be mitigated with preventive care and wellness programs.??

The stakes are even higher in today's digital age, where employers' actions are increasingly visible. Platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed, Fishbowl, and Reddit offer employee insights into how organizations treat employees and support their well-being, potentially influencing the decisions of recruits, customers, and investors.?

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The Business Case for Wellness?

Organizations that prioritize health see multiple benefits:?

• Marked improvements in productivity?

• Reduced absenteeism?

• Lower healthcare costs?

• Heightened employee engagement and retention?

• Returns of 17% to 55% of average annual pay per employee?

But here's where it gets really interesting: the most effective interventions aren’t broad organizational programs but those that happen at the team and job level. Middle managers emerge as crucial links, with their engagement being vital for successful implementation of health and wellbeing initiatives.?

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The Path Forward?

The report emphasizes that sustainable results require a long-term, systemic approach with high-quality, evidence-based programs. This includes helping employees understand the difference between harmful stress (distress) and beneficial stress (eustress) - a distinction that can transform how teams approach workplace challenges.?

Forward-thinking organizations increasingly recognize that stress management isn't just about elimination - it's about optimization. When employees learn to regulate distress while channeling eustress productively, both well-being and performance improve.?

For leaders looking to implement these insights, start with education. Understanding how different types of stress impact your team, learning to identify personal stress triggers, and developing practical management strategies can make a significant difference. Interactive workshops focused on creating personalized stress action plans have proven particularly effective for roles across all organizational levels.?

?The research is clear - investing in employee stress management isn't just about preventing burnout. It's about unlocking potential, boosting productivity, and building more resilient teams. In today's rapidly evolving workplace, that's not just good for wellbeing - it's good for business.??

If you’re interested in helping your team optimize stress and boost productivity, Learnit ’s? Manage Your Stress workshop teaches participants to differentiate between distress and eustress, create personalized stress management action plans, and channel workplace pressure productively. Designed for all organizational levels - from individual contributors to senior leadership - this interactive session provides practical, evidence-based strategies for building a more resilient workforce.??

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?Book a call with a Learning Strategist!??

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