Since before the seismic trigger of Covid-19 descended in 2020, we knew that humanity needed to become more aware of, understand and develop something called ‘Wellbeing’. Many had already realised that wellbeing was more than just rhetoric, but at that time, it was seldom seen as tangible enough to really focus attention and divert resources. But over the last few ‘Covid’ years it has really hit home. We have learnt a great deal about ourselves as a species and the true significance of human wellbeing and the negative impact of living without it. Wellbeing has many facets that make up the principles of wellbeing (psychological, physiological, emotional and social). We could also see that as individuals, organisations, communities and people within wider global contexts, we all needed to understand the true importance of wellbeing and how we could create a world where well-being was able to impact at all levels and in all communities.
We are today living in a new landscape I call the ‘New: Now’ world. This is where we are all accountable for not only our own ‘self’ wellbeing, but to be supportive of the wellbeing of one another. To be more consciously considerate, compassionate, and aware of those around us. How we exist ourselves with wellbeing; how we exist together within our world and also how we impact one another to create and enable wellbeing within one complete system. We are a species linked by our own humanity and driven by our connection to one another and ‘being well’ and ‘doing well’ is surely one of our strongest common goals and the way we will all flourish in the future.
Wellbeing is more than just an individuals’ focus in these times and when we acknowledge this quite profound aspect of life and appreciate it at different levels, we create the power for organisational wellbeing to become much more than the sum of its parts.
Organisational wellbeing requires focused core values, a mind shift and a cultural transformation collectively within organisations.
It needs,
And it requires,
Most importantly we must understand how wellbeing will be led!
Those at the ‘leading edge’ are in a privileged position to create organisational wellbeing as a reality. It is a weighty role, which requires buy-in, involvement, commitment, and role modelling.
Some say we can be born a leader. Whilst that may have substance in part, it is more realistic to suggest that we are born with the strengths, capabilities and the capacity that enable us to lead effectively. However, additionally we require the knowledge, skills and abilities that can be taught to create greater leadership. Even more importantly to my mind and in this time, we must develop other new leadership abilities to succeed as leaders, that identify success not through our own deeds but through the thoughts, feelings, emotions and behaviours of those that are drawn to follow those leaders.
Leaders engage, enable, and enthuse those that follow them to be more, to become part of something greater than themselves, and to desire better for not only themselves but the whole community. Leaders are undoubtedly skilled, and the skills that have led to their success previously have served them well. However, I believe we need new additional qualities of leadership now, to create a more compassionate, wellbeing focused leadership for the future. We need to ensure organisations are successful, flourish and grow and that they become the engine rooms of our society, and that begins….today.
It can happen through what I call ‘Thriving Leadership’. It includes leaders developing more nuanced abilities that must be developed through self-awareness, conscious competence and courage relating to Authenticity, Strength, Presence, Integrity, Resilience and Energy. And working together with core values that enable compassionate, humanistic wellbeing. And the ability to model and coach these to develop within others.
I believe it is important to create a culture that values and drives wellbeing from within. To focus the organisation in a way that creates self-management and autonomy yet still enables the collective to develop as a cohesive unit in order to create a powerful culture that engenders trust, support, flourishing growth and at its heart well-being. Once this is embodied and embedded within an organisation branch to root, it can create and promote those values beyond its borders, allow them to expand and ultimately benefit and serve others within the community and world beyond.
The significance of our organisational leaders of today and tomorrow should not be understated and certainly not underestimated.
The personal impact leaders bring to bear on the mental, physical and social wellbeing of those around them and the qualities they must now seek to possess to effect this transformational change is where the [Wealthy Organisation TM] journey begins. If you would like to hear more about creating Wealthy Organisations, drop me a line. I love to talk about creating the future.
Be Well 2 Do Well
Caroline Knight
2022
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