We don't think so
Developing people in the workplace is high on the agenda, but are we getting it right? Workplace stress is a common feature in today’s business environment, drilled into us through the media and our everyday language. As a result, stress and the overall wellbeing and performance of people are the subject of constant head-scratching about the burden it places on employees, and how to effectively support and tackle it.
We know what makes people sick at work
The CIPD Health and Wellbeing at Work report (2019) highlighted the top 3 causes of stress-related illness as:
- Heavy workloads
- Poor management style
- Poor relationships at work
For most people reading this, the above will come as no surprise. We are all required to do more with less, and it’s been that way for some time. We all know the pain points at work that make people sick.
Does this mean that existing training solutions are not working?
A typical approach to wellbeing, for example, in the workplace is programmes that commonly involve a series of events, health screenings and incentives that undoubtedly relieve the symptoms. But do they directly address what causes workplace stress in the first place?
Watch: Jon from our team
Watch Jon talk to an audience of HR specialists at a DisruptHr conference challenging a big assumption: that people already have the mental, emotional, and social skills they need to succeed at work.
The truth? Most haven’t been taught how to handle pressure, manage emotions, or lead themselves, yet we expect them to perform anyway.
This talk explores the hidden skills gap affecting teams and performance in every industry, and what we can do about it.
Wellbeing in the workplace programmes need to directly link back and address these top causes of workplace stress
We need to think differently. Conventional wellbeing programmes rarely target the often unconscious or ‘not talked about’ aspects of workplace culture that silently affect leadership style and people’s habits, beliefs and behaviours. There is a need to move beyond wellbeing and towards developing a resilient culture that delivers proactive action designed to manage the top causes of workplace stress.
Resilience changes our relationship with stress and boosts performance and relationships
Rather than investing in wellbeing at work interventions, forward-thinking leaders are now investing in the minds of their people. They realise that wellbeing programmes that people need strong psychological foundations through resilience training to help them feel more in control, empowered, focused and engaged in times of adversity or pressure. This resilience approach is long-lasting, reduces stress and anxiety, lessens burn out and improves performance and leadership.
Changing people's mindset changes the results
Developing skill-based resilience is the key to removing the culturally embedded barriers that cause workplace stress and block productivity, engagement and potential. Our resilience programmes delivered across a diverse set of industries ranging from FTSE 100 companies, Government, Emergency Services and NHS Trusts clearly show that investing in resilience training significantly reduces individual and team stress, anxiety and relationship issues. All of which get in the way of everyone’s performance and wellbeing.
