“ PHYSICIAN , HEAL THYSELF .” It is not a new idea : Writers in biblical times already referred to the adage as an age-old proverb , and versions of it are found in Classical texts from the 6th century B . C . E . and earlier .
The words sometimes have been used to taunt and doubt the individuals providing treatments — but at its core , the message is clear : To be able to nurture others , a caregiver must first tend to his or her own needs .
The concept may be ancient , but it has never been more applicable than in 2023 . Only now , it may be quantifiable .
A pioneering study of leaders across health and well-being industries shows prioritizing leader well-being is critical for increasing industry and social effectiveness . In research findings reported this spring , Wisdom Works Group finds a unique opportunity for these leaders to enhance well-being for themselves and the people and organizations they serve .
Wisdom Works report In its report “ Leading in the Health and Well-being Industry 2023 : Are we walking our talk ?,” the organization identifies its findings as a clarion call for the health and well-being industry to make thriving a standard of success for leadership and industry impact .
Wisdom Works began the study with a novel tandem of questions : As leaders of health and well-being industries , are we thriving personally ? Are we advancing well-being through how we lead ?
Well-being has become a driver of brand performance , workforce engagement and social and environmental change — and is one of the central challenges and opportunities of leadership today . The well-being leadership agenda is even more crucial for organizations providing health and well-being services , including the flourishing spa industry , because it is where the rest of the world looks for health and well-being solutions and advice .
Study setup “ Leading in the Health & Well-being Industry 2023 ” represents a survey of 841 leaders spanning 71 countries across every region of the world and affecting a reported 19 million people .
Leaders completed a survey examining their experience of their organization , their everyday stressors and 19 psychometrics of well-being leadership addressing their psychological well-being and leadership influence . ( See overview of the study ’ s psychometrics on page 24 .)
In this study , the health and well-being industry was defined by three sectors : l Global Wellness Economy l Healthcare l Human Potential & Development
Study findings Overall , the nine key findings that emerged from this study uncover that leaders across the health and wellbeing industry are collectively reporting they are not as internally well-resourced as they could be to handle the complexities and challenges they face . ( See overview of key findings on page 23 .) With leaders as a linchpin for people ’ s experience at work , this timely study brings to light the need for integrating the science and practices of well-being into leader development as a strategy for improving leadership , work culture and industry effectiveness .
The study found middle- and firstline managers are reporting lower wellbeing leadership scores than other leadership levels . This highlights a critical opportunity to empower well-being leadership in middle- and first-line managers as an investment in the industry ’ s future .
“ We are in the middle of a wellbeing revolution ,” says Wisdom Works ’ CEO Renee Moorefield .“ The interest in well-being has never been higher and , therefore , the opportunity for health and well-being companies to positively impact the world has never been greater . Prioritizing well-being leadership is key to effectively and sustainably meeting this increased global interest . It is only by putting our own mask on first that we can authentically support another ’ s ability to thrive .”
“ Wisdom Works Group finds a unique opportunity for … leaders to enhance well-being for themselves and the people and organizations they serve .”
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2023 n PULSE 21