Recent studies show that executives struggle to prioritize their mental and physical health as they strive to meet workplace demands. Nearly 70% of C-suite leaders seriously consider quitting for a job that better supports their health. In recognition of World Health Day on April 7th, C-level executives are encouraged to establish workplace well-being for themselves and their employees. Executives prioritizing transparency, healthy boundaries, and work-life balance are confident leaders and relationship builders. We have identified three ways executives can foster workplace wellness for their company.
Executives Must Be Transparent With Their Employees
According to a 2022 study from Deloitte Insights, partnered with Workplace Intelligence, “Only 22% of employees [report] that their executives share information about their well-being with them.” However, seventy-three percent of C-suite executives say they are open about their mental health with employees. This disparity shows a huge gap in communication between employees and executives. Executives can foster transparency by sharing their personal struggles with mental health. They can improve communication by checking in with their employees on a personal level and providing them with resources to complete their jobs while remaining mentally healthy.
Executives Must Implement Healthy Boundaries
In their study, Deloitte Insights and Workplace Intelligence found that only two-thirds of the C-Suite “…use all of their vacation time, take microbreaks during the day, get enough sleep, and have enough time for friends and family.” Executives fear returning to an unmanageable workload and missing important messages or emails if they engage in the above-listed activities. Implementing personal boundaries between work duties and life responsibilities equips executives to lead clearly and purposefully. Some helpful boundaries executives should consider implementing are:
- Putting your phone “to bed” one hour before you go to sleep
- Turning on the “Do Not Disturb” feature during focus sessions and after-office hours
- Taking breaks away from your desk during the workday
- Prioritizing daily exercise
- Using employee feedback to improve overall workplace wellbeing
Executives Must Set An Example
The Harvard Business Review states, “Leaders must model…mentally healthy behaviors for employees to truly feel like they can do the same.” Deloitte Insights affirms this statement through their findings that “Among employees whose executives are transparent [about mental health], 72% reported above-average well-being, versus only 57% of those whose executives are not transparent.” Executives must remember that actions speak louder than words. By modeling transparency, healthy boundaries, and genuine care, C-suite leaders can foster a culture of well-being for themselves and their employees.
Fostering a culture of workplace wellness improves executive leadership, builds strong relationships, and makes encounters with employees more rewarding. Implementing healthy boundaries to create a work-life balance decreases stress levels, which leads to better sleep and mental clarity. Executives will see improvements in company culture, work efficiency, and client relationships as they incorporate wellness habits into their company’s daily work and activities.
