INDUSTRY RESEARCH
WALKING OUR TALK : Creating thriving leaders , teams and organizations
BY RENEE MOOREFIELD , PH . D ., AND KATE McIVER
COMPOUNDING CRISES IN RECENT YEARS have placed a significant strain on our collective and individual well-being . To address this , forwardthinking leaders are reshaping their organizations around the principles of wholeness , connectedness , adaptability and resilience , recognizing that thriving individuals are essential for a thriving company .
This is even more crucial for health and well-being providers , as people look to us for solutions on how to be well amid the increasing complexities of our global world . By prioritizing well-being within our workplaces , for ourselves and our employees , we can lead by example while providing our customers the services and products they desire .
“ Walking the Talk : Providers of Well-being Services Must Remember Their Own Wellness ” ( August / September , page 20 ) introduced Wisdom Works Group ’ s Leading in the Health and Wellbeing Industry 2023 study that revealed considerable potential for our industry to prioritize leader well-being . Wisdom Works defines leadership as a stance a person takes to actively create the conditions where all people can thrive , grow and accomplish work together they cannot do alone . This means everyone can be a leader , in management and nonmanagement roles alike .
Why is thriving a goal of leadership ? Because thriving is a dynamic and renewable capacity that exists within every human being — plus , it ’ s a pragmatic skill you and your team can develop to elevate effectiveness . When we prioritize individual and collective thriving , we are naturally developing people to solve problems with purpose-driven , creative ,
“ both / and ” thinking , plus use their personal , interpersonal and existential challenges to grow new degrees of discernment and resourcefulness .
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY TEAM IS THRIVING ? The best way to know is to ask them . It sounds simple , however , conversations about our well-being can be vulnerable , uncomfortable and a departure from the norm . It also requires you to be on the well-being journey , too .
Here are four steps you can use to hold personal conversations about thriving with your team .
Encourage people to set aside
1 . time to think about what thriving in life and work means to them . Listen to what your employees have learned about themselves . When you listen sincerely — not for what you
40 PULSE n OCTOBER 2023