To be a great leader, it’s important to do the inner work to be the best version of yourself you can be. Focusing on your mental health and mental health in the workplace is a great place to start.
Here’s why focusing on mental health in the workplace is so important to do, and some steps you can take now to do it, as well as some further mental health leadership training materials.
Why Leadership is an Inside Job
Leadership is about relationships with people, and having a good relationship with yourself can help you in your other relationships. It can help you feel more peaceful, confident, and prepared in stressful situations. When you have clarity on your values and can offer yourself grace and motivation when needed, you can provide your team with an example and a vision for success.
Why Mental Health in the Workplace Matters
Of course, mental health matters in the workplace simply because every individual and their well-being matters. Their happiness and peace matters. But prioritizing improving mental health in the workplace has plenty of benefits beyond well-being that can affect everyone on the team.
Prioritizing mental health can help employees go beyond internal barriers to work productively and safely and be as engaged, motivated, and focused as they can be. It can help employees feel more satisfied with their jobs and reduce turnover. By improving the well-being of the team as a whole, team members feel more valued and more like they belong.
What You Can Do to Improve Your Mental Health
Here are some ideas on things you can do right away to improve your mental health so you can show up as the best leader you can be for you and for your team.
See a Mental Health Professional When Necessary
It can be easy to wait for things to get to a really bad place before seeking help from mental health professionals, but it can be really helpful to see a mental health professional before that point. You can work through any challenges you may be facing with their help and you’ll come out with tools to help you in future situations as well.
Practice Self-Care and Self-Compassion
The truth is that speaking kindly and gently to yourself is the best way to motivate yourself and be productive. Practice saying kind things to yourself when you are tempted to harshly criticize yourself and see the difference it makes. Take time for yourself and do what you need to be the best version of yourself.
Take Care of Your Physical Health
You’ve heard it before, but it’s really true that taking care of your physical health can make a big difference for your mental health. Give your body the movement and fuel it needs for all the tasks ahead.
Maintain Social Connections and Be Vulnerable
Social connections are at the heart of leadership and the key to deep and genuine social connections is being genuine and vulnerable with others. Great leaders are humble and open about their weaknesses and failures.
HREN’s Leadership Training Courses
By investing in your own growth, you not only strengthen your leadership skills but also create a healthier, more resilient workplace culture. HREN’s leadership training courses are designed to support you on this journey, whether you’re looking to adopt a coaching leadership style, expand your strategic influence, or better support mental health in your team.
Explore courses like Creating a Coaching Leadership Style, Five Ways to Improve Your Leadership Skills, Limitless Leadership: Improving Mental Health By Silencing The L.I.E.s and B.S., and From HR Practitioner to Strategic Leader: Securing Your Seat at the Table to continue building the tools and insights you need to lead with confidence, compassion, and purpose.
