As the pandemic recedes and companies resume their regular operations, reflections on the abrupt halt caused by COVID-19 lead to renewed perspectives for both individuals and business leaders. The pandemic underscored two cultural aspects that had been overlooked for too long:
The significance of well-being and the necessity of practicing self-care routines in workplaces and personal lives.
The importance of fostering an environment that supports and encourages these practices.
Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, it inspired a reevaluation of the need to prioritize well-being. With a return to a semblance of normalcy, businesses must maintain their focus on elevating mental health. Instead of reverting to the old normal, there's a call to establish a new, healthier normal that prioritizes well-being both during work hours and beyond.
Deloitte's recent article, "The C-Suite's Role in Well-Being," emphasizes the critical nature of prioritizing well-being:
Approximately 33% of employees and executives continually struggle with fatigue and poor mental health.
Only 47% of workers believe their executives truly comprehend the challenges posed by the pandemic.
About 68% of employees rank enhancing well-being as more important than advancing their careers.
To effectively embed well-being in company culture, leaders should embrace and advocate for mental health. Emphasizing honesty and vulnerability as integral aspects of the well-being journey is crucial. By making these values a cornerstone of company culture, organizations can move forward collectively and consistently, ensuring well-being is not just a momentary reaction to difficulties.
Normalizing well-being will take time, but it's a worthy endeavor. Open discussions are essential to achieving this goal. Through collaboration among leaders and a commitment to fostering lasting well-being, individuals can attain the sustainable normalcy they deserve and have yearned for. Check out the full article by Kirsten Rhodes.