Unlocking the Power of Leaders: Transforming Health and Wellbeing in Organisations

Leadership is a critical factor in promoting health and wellbeing within organisations. Research has shown that leaders have a significant impact on health promotion and risk mitigation in the workplace. However, it is essential to recognize that leaders themselves are often exposed to higher levels of emotional exhaustion and stress compared to others in the organisation. Therefore, supporting leaders and focusing on their intrapersonal and interpersonal skills are crucial for creating a healthy work environment. 

While it is commonly assumed that leaders should lead by example and participate in the same health programs as their team members, leadership extends beyond being a mere role model. The leadership process presents various challenges, and people are increasingly seeking improved practices and processes that directly influence work stress and health outcomes. It is vital for leaders to openly discuss and address health issues, identify critical changes to reduce burdens, and avoid assuming that everyone experiences stress in the same way. Rather than solely focusing on individual benefits or health programs, leaders should assess the root causes of risk factors in the work context such as job demands, workload, support, and autonomy. 

Good leadership practice involves being observant of changing behaviours or habits that indicate health risks in others. Leaders need to be vigilant, particularly regarding behaviours that arise within the organisational context, such as bullying, discrimination, harassment, toxic behaviour, and disrespect. Instead of solely observing specific idiosyncrasies related to healthy behaviours and lifestyles, leaders should focus on understanding work-related behaviours, the organisational context, and culture. Building respectful and responsible relationships, manifesting high emotional intelligence, and promoting effective communication are vital for leaders. Creating spaces for uncomfortable but necessary conversations helps establish trust and enhances the health and wellbeing of team members. 

The quality of relationships between leaders and their team members is crucial for health, productivity, motivation, and wellbeing outcomes. In the Leader-Member Exchange theory, the leader plays a key role in establishing relationships with their team, which predicts performance and wellbeing. However, it is important to acknowledge that relationships are a two-way, and team members should also be attentive to the needs of their leaders. To fulfil their role in health prevention, leaders require training and development to upgrade health literacy throughout the organisation. 

Recognizing the pressures leaders face within organizations is the first step towards supporting their health and capacity. For leaders to effectively fulfil their obligations to the organisation and their team members, they must be healthy, empowered, and supported. Providing leaders with the necessary tools and skills to manage demands and protect their own health is essential is another critical element to consider.  

Finally, leaders play a crucial role in promoting health within organisations, but they require specific support, tools, and skills to fulfil that role effectively. Taking actions to assist leaders in maintaining their health while performing their responsibilities is of utmost importance. By prioritizing leadership development and providing resources for health management, organisations can create a thriving and sustainable work environment that benefits leaders, the workforce, and the business. 

References  

Erdogan, B., & Bauer, T. N. (2015). Leader–Member exchange theory: A glimpse into the future. Oxford University Press. 

Lewis, R., Yarker, J., & Donaldson-Feilder, E. (2011). Preventing stress in organizations: How to develop positive Leaders (1st ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. 

Percy, S. (2021, November 3). How can leaders help their teams to better manage stress? Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/sallypercy/2021/11/03/how-can-leaders-help-their-teams-to-better-manage-stress/

Saltzman, J. (2018, August 16). Taking mental health seriously is how the best business leaders protect their teams. Entrepreneur. Available at: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/318018