Clovis Six, CEO of BloomUp: “Just as you discuss daily activities and tasks, make time for a mental check-up with your team members. As a manager, schedule interviews about well-being with your staff. Or include a moment in team meetings when everyone can share what is going well and what they are struggling with.”
Be aware that you as a team leader or member of the management team are also allowed to show your vulnerable side. It makes staff members feel confident about opening up when they notice that their team leader does the same. Evelyne Lauwers, General Manager Health Care at Vanbreda: “There is nothing wrong with a manager sharing his or her mental concerns with the team. Quite the opposite. It creates identifiability and a stronger bond between the members.”
Evelyne Lauwers: “Back your words with actions. By merely telling people that there is openness about mental well-being within your organisation, you will change little in practice. Show that you are serious by taking action. For example, offer tools to employees who need individual support. A platform like BloomUp can help to support your staff.”
Regularly draw attention to mental well-being. For example at regular intervals via the intranet or the internal newsletter. Clovis Six: “This can be done very simply and easily in the form of tips & tricks. Regular reminders have more long-term impact than a big one-time action.”
