It goes without saying that when executives get behind something, people get on board. That’s why leaders need to advocate for employee well-being.
Leaders help highlight and define the value of well-being improvement with their personal examples and reinforcement. They’re the primary messengers who make the connection between the business strategy and employee well-being.
5 ways leaders can support well-being improvement:
1. Share a video of your executive sponsor discussing his/her sincere commitment to employee well-being. Why does well-being personally matter to them? When the very top of your org chart walks the walk, the impact is incredible.
2. Sponsor C-suite challenges. Capitalize on what your leaders are great at doing: leading! Make them your star well-being champions by asking each of them to sponsor a quarterly challenge around something they’re passionate about — like fitness, nutrition or meditation. The more personal the challenge topic, the more meaningful it will be for both leaders and employees.
3. Encourage leaders to model positive behavior through everyday actions. They can’t expect employees to embrace well-being if they’re not actively involved. Managers, directors and other company leaders need to take lunch breaks and vacations, set tech boundaries, use a standing desk and actively promote well-being challenges to truly have an impact.
4. Reinforce the importance of well-being in all written and verbal communications. Employees look to leaders to set the tone. Encourage them to cheer others on. Set the example and try not to send emails late at night or while on PTO.
5. Hold other leaders accountable for making well-being improvement a priority in their divisions. Create team challenges with division leaders as captains.