Employee wellbeing - Anton Perera
Clear Mind makes productive work environment
A clear mind
in an employee refers to a state of mind in which the person is focused, calm,
and capable of performing their work effectively and efficiently. This state of
mind is distinguished by the absence of distractions, worry, or unpleasant
emotions that may interfere with the employee's ability to concentrate and do
great work.
As an
employee, having a clear mind entails being able to prioritize projects and
manage time effectively, being organized, and communicating clearly with
colleagues and superiors. It also entails being able to manage stress and deal
with difficult situations without becoming overwhelmed or succumbing to bad
emotions.
How does an employee's muddled
thinking harm the workplace?
Weakness in decision-making:
An unclear
mind can lead to poor decision-making, which can harm the company. This can
involve making mistakes, omitting essential details, or failing to explore all
options.
Lower Productivity:
Employees
with a cloudy mind may find it difficult to focus and complete tasks
efficiently, resulting in lower productivity for themselves and their teams.
Lack of creativity and innovation:
Employees'
ability to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to problems
can be hampered by an unclear mind. This has the potential to limit the
company's growth and competitiveness in the market.
Increased stress and anxiety:
When
employees have an unclear mind, they may feel overwhelmed, stressed, and
anxious. This can result in a negative work environment and low team morale.
Lack of communication:
Employees
with an unclear mind may fail to communicate effectively with their coworkers,
resulting in misunderstandings and problems at work.
Leaders must create a calm working
atmosphere for their employees.
GreenWood & Crol (2020) stated that many businesses had
increased their focus on workplace mental health prior to the pandemic. (Often
in response to pressure from employees.) These initiatives are even more important
now.
Leaders can expect to see employees battle with anxiety,
depression, burnout, trauma, and PTSD as we negotiate various transitions in
the coming months and years. Race, economic opportunity, citizenship status,
work type, parenting and caregiving duties, and a variety of other factors all
influence mental health experiences. So, what can managers and leaders do to
help employees cope with new stressors, safety worries, and economic
uncertainty? Here's our recommendation:
Leaders lead others to open
One benefit
of the epidemic is that it is normalizing mental health issues. Almost everyone
has felt some form of pain. However, the universality of the experience will
translate into a reduction in stigma only if people, particularly those in
positions of authority, share their experiences. Being open about your own
mental health struggles as a leader allows employees to feel safe approaching
you about their own mental health issues.
Build a culture of connection
According to the Qualtrics and
SAP study, nearly 40% of global employees said no one at their workplace had
asked them if they were okay, and those respondents were 38% more likely than
others to say their mental health had declined since the outbreak.
Go beyond a basic "How are
you?" and ask specific questions about what types of assistance would be
beneficial. Wait for the complete response. Listen carefully and encourage
inquiries and concerns.
Be adaptable and open.
Expect the situation, your
team's requirements, and your own needs to evolve. Check in on a regular basis,
especially at transitional times. You can only help fix any problems that arise
if you understand what is going on. These talks will also allow you to
reinforce mental health norms and practices. Inclusive flexibility is about
proactive communication and norm-setting that assist people in designing and
maintaining the limits they require.
Make no assumptions about what your direct reports require; they
will almost certainly require various things at different times. Take a
tailored strategy to dealing with stressors such as childcare issues or a
constant need to work. Flexibility should be offered proactively. Be as
charitable and realistic as possible. Jason Fried, CEO of Basecamp, recently
announced that employees with any sort of caretaking responsibilities would be
able to set their own schedules, even if it meant working fewer hours. Being
accommodating does not always imply lowering your expectations. Flexibility can
help your team flourish in the face of ongoing uncertainty.
Communicate more than you believe is
necessary.
The study
with Qualtrics and SAP showed that employees who felt their managers were not
good at communicating have been 23% more likely than others to experience
mental health declines since the outbreak. To address this, managers should
keep their teams informed of organizational changes and updates, clarify work
hours and norms, set expectations about workloads, prioritize what must get
done, and acknowledge what can slide if necessary. They should also make their
team aware of available mental health resources and encourage them to use them.
Finally, they should normalize the use of those services and take action as
senior leaders in the company.
Why is it critical to support
employee mental health?
As per Spain
N. (ND), according to a study conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health, nearly 40% of employees would attempt to conceal a mental health
illness from their manager if they could.
As an employer, you want to demonstrate how much you
genuinely care about your workers. Caring for your employees' mental health not
only creates a better working environment, but it can also help your business
succeed.
Supporting
an employee's mental health is a powerful way to demonstrate your sincere
concern for your employees. Communicating this support not only demonstrates
that your business cares, but it also educates employees on the resources
accessible to them for mental health.
Profits
Mental
illnesses can have a significant impact on business profits, as they can lead
to lost productivity and absenteeism. According to the World Health
Organization, for every US dollar invested in mental health treatment, there is
a return of US $4 in improved health and productivity.
Culture
Supporting
employee mental health will help foster a caring atmosphere. Having the proper
company culture has a substantial impact on the work environment and,
consequently, the quality of work produced. A good company culture also
encourages workers to promote your company to others, which can be a great
strategy for attracting new talent.
Productivity
Mental
illnesses can have a significant effect on a person's ability to be productive.
According to the APA, employees who have unresolved depression experience a 35%
decrease in productivity. Helping employees deal with mental health issues will
improve their ability to increase productivity, which will benefit the company.
Conclusion
An unclear
mind in employees can lead to lower productivity in several aspects. It is
mandatory for leaders to identify the lackluster areas of mental health in
their subordinates. Employers should demonstrate their care for their employees
by supporting their mental health, which can create a better working
environment and help them succeed. Communicating this support not only shows
that they care but also educates employees on the resources available to them.
Reference list
Greenwood, K. and Krol, N. (2020) 8 Ways Managers Can Support Employees’ Mental
Health. [online] hbr.org/.
Available from: https://hbr.org/2020/08/8-ways-managers-can-support-employees-mental-health
[Accessed 30 March 2023]
Spain, De N.
(ND) Employee Mental Health. [online]
.Available from: Employee
Mental Health: How HR Can Help in 2023 | Eddy [Accessed 30 March 2023]
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Video 1
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ReplyDeleteGreat article and a good topic to select. I think clear direction is needed and the team will get you there. Great things in business are never done by one person. They are dome by a team ( Steve Jobs )
ReplyDeleteThank you verymuch George.
ReplyDeleteGood artical, Defensibly, we need this in the competitive world.
ReplyDeleteThe wellness of employees is a crucial component of contemporary workplaces since it may have a big influence on their productivity, engagement, and retention. These are some ways that contemporary businesses might encourage staff wellbeing.
Flexible work arrangements can reduce stress and improve work-life balance, leading to improved employee wellbeing.
Creating a positive workplace culture can reduce stress and improve job satisfaction.
Providing learning and development opportunities can promote a sense of purpose and fulfillment, leading to improved wellbeing.
Regular recognition and appreciation can improve morale and job satisfaction.
Overall, by emphasizing work-life balance, mental and physical health assistance, a healthy workplace culture, learning and development opportunities, and recognition and appreciation, modern organizations may improve employee wellbeing.
I completely agree with you, Kamal. When I went through your comment, I felt it would be better if I added a few more things about the psychological theories related to the subject and a few more for the learning, education, etc.
DeleteAppreciate your feed back.
DeleteThat's correct, by incorporating these strategies into our daily routine, we can help clear our minds and create a more productive work environment. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Tharanga. We can make it a reality in our places. Thanks a lot !
DeleteThis is a really delicate subject, but it would be fantastic if you added a few words about developing clear thinking habits. We can see a very excellent essay by Daniel J. Levitin on "The Organized Mind" (Penguin Books, 2014). Moreover, "Clarify Priorities" and "Be Kind" will help you reach your goal. Well Done !
ReplyDeleteYes Tharanga Thank you. In part two, that book also provided an excellent description of "ORGANIZING INFORMATION FOR THE HARDEST DECISIONS," which was extremely useful.
DeleteThis is timly topic Anton. We all lead stressed lives nowadays while competing in an unending race. Therefore it can be very challenging to maintain clear mindset. Other than your ideas I think balance meal plans, guided meditation or try some mindful breathing , Yoga, regular exercises , listening to music also help to make clear mindset.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is absolutely true Sanduni. We all experience this, more or less. I agree that your suggestions are very timely.
DeleteThe article discusses the importance of employee mental health and how a clear mind is essential for a productive work environment. It highlights how unclear thinking can harm the workplace, including weakness in decision-making, lower productivity, lack of creativity and innovation, increased stress and anxiety, and lack of communication. The article suggests that leaders must create a calm working atmosphere for their employees and build a culture of connection to support employee mental health. The article emphasizes the need for employers to support their employees' mental health, which not only creates a better working environment but also helps the business succeed. Very useful article. Highly appreciated your effort...!!
ReplyDelete
DeleteThank you very much for your great appreciation.
Thanks Suranga. Agreed with your inputs. For this, the human resources departments have a serious responsibility, and they should follow an up-to-date policy with time frames. Thanks !
ReplyDeleteI agree. Employees should have a clear mindset to work effectively and helps them to succeed. Employers should look after employee's mental health as well and care for them. It is a really good informative article.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Iresha.
DeleteI loved reading your blog post on how a clear mind can lead to a more productive work environment! Your tips and suggestions are incredibly helpful and practical, and I appreciate the emphasis you placed on taking care of our mental well-being. It's so important to prioritize our mental health, especially in a work setting where stress and pressure can easily mount. Your post serves as a great reminder to step back, take a deep breath, and approach our work with a clear and focused mindset. Thank you for sharing this insightful and inspiring piece!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Piyumi. As you said, while writing this blog post, I also felt strongly that this is an experience that we all face more or less daily. Thanks a lot for your appreciation and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteA clear mind refers to a state of mental clarity and focus that allows an individual to effectively process and prioritize information, make sound decisions, and stay motivated and productive. In a work environment, a clear mind can lead to greater efficiency, creativity, and overall job satisfaction. By minimizing distractions and eliminating unnecessary stress, individuals can create a more productive work environment that fosters innovation and success. Cultivating a clear mind can involve techniques such as meditation, regular exercise, and proper time management, as well as fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture.
ReplyDeletevery attractive article .keep it up..!
Hi Gamini,Thank you for your feedback! I'm glad you found the article on cultivating a clear mind in the workplace to be informative and helpful.
DeleteEmployee well-being is important in general because it promotes a healthy and happy staff, decreases absenteeism and turnover, and boosts productivity and job satisfaction. Employers may create a more positive and productive work environment while improving their financial line by investing in employee well-being. Interesting article
ReplyDelete