Did you know that 93% of workers say their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing is just as important as pay? That’s according to a report done by Swinburne University and Deloitte. (Reset, Restore, Reframe – Making Fair Work FlexWork A Deloitte and Swinburne Edge Report June 2022”).   

Thanks to COVID, leadership and expectations have changed; people want their wellbeing considered in the workplace.  Leaders are now expected to navigate complexity, guide teams through uncertainty, and sustain high performance over the long term. Traditional notions of self-care are now deemed to fall short, focusing on short-term relief rather than cultivating long-term vitality and balance. 

Why WellBeing Matters in Leadership 

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly shifted how organisations view well-being, highlighting its importance in the workplace. Burnout rates surged during the pandemic as employees faced unprecedented levels of stress and uncertainty. For instance, a study revealed that the overall prevalence of burnout among U.S. physicians jumped to 62.8% in 2021, compared with 38.2% in 2020. 

Younger generations entering the workforce are also demanding more from their employers regarding well-being. The Deloitte Global 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey found that only about half of Gen Zs (51%) and millennials (56%) rate their mental health as good or extremely good. Employers must focus on providing better workplace mental health support to meet these expectations.  

As a leader or a business owner, the state of your own personal well-being directly impacts your team or your business. When you’re overwhelmed or disconnected, it affects your decisions and interactions. Whereas, operating from a place of balance allows you to create an environment where your team can thrive. 

The Difference Between Wellbeing and Self-Care 

It’s essential to tell the difference between self-care and well-being. Self-care often refers to activities that provide temporary comfort, like a warm bath after a stressful day. These practices soothe our stresses, but do they actually have a long-term impact on our wellbeing?  

Wellbeing actually involves creating sustainable and enduring practices that improve overall wellbeing and resilience. Overall wellbeing meaning physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.  It’s about proactively nurturing conditions that allow everyone to thrive,  rather than just soothing yourself in moments of stress. 

Developing an Actionable Wellbeing Practice 

An actionable well-being practice is an ongoing activity that positively contributes to the overall wellbeing (as mentioned above).  Unlike self-care, which often focuses on short-term comfort, a well-being practice aims for long-term transformation.  

For example, you personally might adopt a daily mindfulness routine, prioritise regular physical activity, or engage in structured reflection through journaling. The key is that the practice is intentional, consistent, and aligned with your goals. 

Practical Steps for Leaders 

As a leader, you play a pivotal role in embedding wellbeing into organisational culture. Consider these steps: 

• Assess Current Wellbeing Practices: Conduct surveys or focus groups to understand the current state of team wellbeing and identify gaps. 

• Offer Training Programs: Invest in programs that integrate practical wellbeing practices into leadership development, ensuring they are relevant and actionable. 

• Model Wellbeing at All Levels: Encourage leaders to prioritise their wellbeing and share their practices openly, setting the tone for the organisation. You have to walk the talk! 

• Integrate Wellbeing into Daily Routines: Provide tools and frameworks that help the team incorporate well-being into their daily workflows, such as time-blocking for reflection or mindfulness. Or even just check in with people’s energy levels at the beginning of Toolbox meetings.  

• Measure Impact: Use metrics such as team engagement, retention rates, and performance outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness of wellbeing initiatives. 

What does wellbeing mean to you?  

How do you want to feel—physically, mentally, and emotionally, in your daily life?  

What specific actions can you take today to begin cultivating the conditions for sustained balance and resilience?  

Remember, your wellbeing is the foundation of everything you do. By nurturing your inner soil, you create the conditions for a life of purpose, balance, and resilience, a foundation for leadership that inspires and sustains.