Emotional Wellbeing: A Leadership Game Changer
In the rush to hit targets and meet deadlines, emotional wellbeing often takes a backseat. But what if it wasn’t a ‘nice-to-have’? What if it was a leadership strategy that could transform your team?
Imagine a leader who walks into a meeting not just with a project update, but with genuine interest in how their team is feeling. It’s more than being nice. It’s about creating a culture where people feel seen, valued, and supported.
Emotions drive behaviour. When leaders model emotions it ripples through the team, boosting connection, motivation, and engagement.
Research* backs this up: Cultures that prioritise emotional wellbeing see lower stress, higher job satisfaction, and more creativity.
Here’s how to lead with emotional wellbeing in mind:
Make Time for Real Check-Ins: Go beyond tasks. Ask how people are feeling, not just what they’re doing.
Celebrate Small Wins: Recognise moments of joy, gratitude, and resilience. From project milestones to surviving a tough week.
Lead by Example: Show vulnerability. Share how you’re feeling and invite your team to do the same. It fosters trust and connection.
Create Spaces for Connection: Build in time for genuine connection whether it’s a coffee chat or a team lunch.
Encourage Emotional Literacy: Give your team the language to name and navigate their emotions. Simple tools like feelings charts or emotional culture workshops can make a big impact.
At Blue Dog Culture, we believe leadership isn’t just about KPIs. It’s about creating a culture where people feel empowered, energised, and emotionally safe. Because when you take care of people’s hearts, the results follow naturally.
How are you leading with emotional wellbeing today?
*The Research includes:
A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that a strong workplace culture of health is associated with higher work engagement and lower employee stress and depression, independent of individual health status.
Another study in Frontiers in Psychology concluded that mindfulness is associated with lower perceived stress and higher work engagement, suggesting that mindfulness practices can be a protective and modifiable personal resource in the workplace.
Research in the journal Administrative Sciences indicates that higher emotional intelligence (EI) is associated with a more positive work climate, higher job satisfaction, and lower perceived job stress. EI improves job satisfaction both directly and indirectly by increasing positive work climate and decreasing job stress.
A study in the Journal of Corporate Real Estate highlights that investing in healthy work environments positively affects employee satisfaction and productivity, emphasising the importance of physical workplace characteristics on health and well-being.
The study “Job Stress and Employee Creativity: The Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence” found that emotional intelligence mediates the relationship between job stress and employee creativity. Employees with higher EI can reduce job stress and enhance their creativity.
Research in the Journal of Business Research indicates that job satisfaction facilitates employees’ creative thinking, suggesting that satisfied employees are more likely to engage in creative behaviours.