Ways to wellbeing

I am so incredibly proud of my clients. Many are CEOs are senior leaders from small charities and non-profit organisations and few have extra funds sitting around for apparent 'non-essentials'.

It would be so easy for them to neglect their people, just to get their heads down, get the job done, and expect others to do the same.

And yet they all know that the happiness and wellbeing of team members is far from simply 'nice to have'. All the research shows that as well as making people feel good, paying attention to wellbeing leads to higher engagement and improved performance.

So, they take it seriously.

One of the CEOs I coach had a major financial blow. Yet, she plans to take her team away so they can bond and celebrate their successes together. They'll just be at the Youth Hostel, rather than the hotel.

I love this. It's creative and thoughtful. She knows how important these things are.

But it's not easy, is it?

How many small charities do you know that have a dedicated HR person whose core work includes creating a wellbeing strategy and monitoring it?

Not many I'm sure. And yet even small charities have a duty of care to their employees.

So what's possible for you?

1. Model good behaviour ??

Leaders are hugely influential in creating a strong wellbeing culture. So, I encourage you to take a lunch break. Use your annual leave. Don't work crazy hours. And be seen to do these and similar things. Your actions really are the start of building a non-toxic work culture which supports everyone to thrive.

2. Champion mental health ??

This has got way more common recently, but sadly there are still mission-driven organisations where it's taboo. Don't let this be true for yours. Talk about it. Share your own experiences. Make talking about mental health absolutely normal and acceptable.

3. Encourage movement ??

One of the 'five pillars of wellbeing' identified by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) is to Move. Apparently, for every eight hours at a desk we need to do one full hour of exercise. That's a lot and it's is not going to happen on its own. So how can you encourage your team to get moving, without being nannyish about it?

Make it easy. Standing meetings (yep, even on Zoom). Encourage walking across and office rather than phoning or emailing each other. Sign up to a 10-minute workplace workout, from the British Heart Foundation website that your whole team can follow along with at the same time, even those working from home.

4. Create a giving environment ??

Another NEF recommendation is to Give. It may seem counter-intuitive when there is so much to do and resources are scarce, but carrying out an act of kindness, however tiny, every day boosts the wellbeing of both giver and receiver. What could you do to encourage giving?

One of my favourite ideas, which I first saw at Alzheimer Scotland, is to create an 'Appreciation station' where colleagues write 'shout outs' to each other on a noticeboard, virtual or real. It's such a powerful, simple thing and costs virtually nothing.

Another, is to give your team members the gift of your time. Create opportunities to check in with how they are, really are. No agenda. No advice. This is offering your team an absolute gem of a gift. Offering your 'distraction' on the other hand, by taking a phone call in a 1-1 for instance, is a wellbeing crusher, no question.

What else could you do in your organisation?

Thank you for reading this article in my Loving Leadership newsletter. I hope it's inspired you in the amazing work you do.

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Katie Duckworth is an infectiously enthusiastic change-maker, cheer-leader and inspirer of mission-driven leaders and their teams working all out for a better world. Her coaching is warm and empowering. Her training, practical, engaging and fun.