Lead By Example – Be a Mental Health Champion

Did you know the main reason people take time off work is due to poor mental health? This means, it’s in your best interest to promote positive mental health at work.

Investing in building and maintaining good mental wellbeing at work boosts productivity, sales, creativity, and customer satisfaction.

Here are some straightforward, effective ways to lead by example:

1. Reinforce positive ways of working, whether it’s a finish early on a Friday, eating lunch away from your desk, or taking your staff out for a coffee. Offer activities or exercises that support positive mental health.
2. Role model trust-based conversations and actions by following through on what you say, and stamping out rude behaviour.
3. Promote connection between staff members. Whether it is a Business house sports team, or attending a local quiz night. Bringing people together helps them feel safer, less stressed, and less anxious.
4. Keep it fair. Provide support and work accommodations as you would for any physical health issue or personal situation.
5. Promote an ‘ask for help’ workplace. Make talking about emotions easy and have support on hand when people need it.
6. Build on your staff strengths. Recognise people’s strengths and find ways for them to use those strengths in their work.

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