Why Leaders Need to Make Mental Health a Priority | Nicky Young
Leaders need, first and foremost, to become more emotionally intelligent. Before they start to put processes in place, they need to read the mood of their workforce.”
WHY LEADERS NEED TO MAKE MENTAL HEALTH A PRIORITY
In the second part of this conversation with business consultant and mental health advocate, Nicky Young, we delve into the connection between mental health and the workplace. Specifically, the impact of mental health-related illness on business when it goes ignored. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and, alongside anxiety disorders, this illness costs the economy an estimated 1 trillion USD each year.
The implications of this epidemic are staggering. Lost productivity, challenges to talent retention and decreased levels of employee engagement are just some of the direct costs associated with an unhealthy workplace. Nicky explains why it’s not enough for businesses to offer standalone solutions to combat this complex issue. Meditation or yoga classes for employees may look great on a company website. Nevertheless, even when well-intentioned, these so-called benefits overlook the deeper structural issues that can lead to burnout in the first place.
Nicky argues that a healthy workforce requires emotionally-intelligent leaders who are able to identify and respond to the often unspoken concerns of their employees. She shares her three-part model of management to balance delivering business results with creating a workplace culture where people thrive. We also address why making mental health a priority is especially important for leaders during times of uncertainty and economic hardship.
In case you missed the first part of our conversation, have a listen to learn how Nicky became such a passionate advocate for leadership around mental health. You’ll also find out how to better identify early warning signs of burnout or depression—in yourself, your loved ones, or friends and colleagues.
Note: Neither the host or guest are trained medical professionals. If you are struggling with burnout or depression and need immediate help, please reach out to your doctor or local health service.
MORE ABOUT NICKY YOUNG
Nicky Young is a business consultant, mental health advocate and former Group Managing Director of MullenLowe Salt. Throughout her 20-year career, she has been at the forefront of groundbreaking communication programmes for some of the world’s best-known brands.
- Interview excerpt from In the Balance on BBC
- Nicky’s talk at a Minds at Work event
WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT…
- Training to become a Mental First Aider with MHFA England
- Lady Gaga speaks with Oprah Winfrey about breaking the stigma of mental health
- The undervalued significance of emotional intelligence in leadership
- World Health Organization (WHO) statistics on the economic impact of mental health
- Loneliness and the challenge of finding someone to speak with about mental health and other personal struggles
- The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People by Judith Orloff
- Sally Maitlis, Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Leadership at Oxford University on how leaders experience anxiety and depression
- The impact of coronavirus on mental health
- Invisibility of depression and mental illness
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Aimée DuBrule, CultureRISE
Host and Producer
Jenn MacLeod, Jenneve Digital
Media Production
(Feature photo courtesy of Nicky Young)
