Dual-Focused Leadership: Enhancing Performance and Well-being

In the realm of leadership, performance and impact are often spotlighted, with the belief that training and development will fix things. But how much does well-being suffer when results and performance are the primary focus? With worrying levels of mental health issues impacting people’s lives and workplaces, we need to consider a leadership approach that will enhance leadership without sacrificing our limited supplies of well-being.

The Overlooked Aspect of Leadership: Well-being

While leadership performance is crucial, neglecting well-being comes at too high a cost. Leaders, in their pursuit of excellence, often sideline their mental health. That has a cost to people as well as the bottom line, and if ignored, can escalate into larger issues.

Proactive Measures for Well-being

Active Prevention – Establishing a supportive workplace where flexibility is encouraged and colleagues look out for each other can preemptively address mental health concerns. Easier said than done but this is something we design with our clients to ensure they are pre-thinking mental health risks.

Early Intervention – Recognizing the early signs of stress or mental health problems is essential. Good leadership has to include self awareness and awareness of workplace stressors like unrealistic deadlines, constant meetings with no time for focused work, or high-pressure situations that push people into burnout.

Cultivating a Supportive Environment

This is where better relational skills come in. The new program I’ve been working on with a team of experts from across the country has determined that soft skills are the new hard skills. Soft skills are anything but soft. They keep up grounded, present and ready to solve the problems that come at too high a cost.

For example: Open Dialogue – A simple check-in with team members, asking about their well-being in a non-judgmental manner, can be incredibly impactful. This fosters an environment where mental health is not stigmatized but openly discussed and addressed.

Wellness Action Plans – Implementing these plans empowers individuals to identify and communicate their needs and triggers, promoting self-awareness and proactive management of their mental health.

Conclusion

Leadership is not just about achieving goals and driving results; it’s also about maintaining personal well-being. By embracing a holistic approach that values mental health as much as performance, leaders can thrive in both their professional and personal lives, ensuring sustained success and a healthier work culture.