5 ways leaders can communicate better about mental health
If you are a leader in your industry or a team, you may frequently wonder what you can do to minimise the workplace mental health risks for your team members.
Here are five useful leadership communication tips to consider:
- Be open, real and genuine
Ask your team what behaviour should be stopped and behaviours that could be practiced more often by those in management and leadership positions. By listening to what others are saying, then reflecting and acting, their voices will feel validated and demonstrate to them that they are important.
- Communicate about purpose
Individuals long to be part of something they can connect to. A well-articulated and shared purpose provides meaning and inspiration to the work teams do. Remind team members often about the bigger purpose and how they personally contribute to it.
- Give your time to everyone
Individual self-worth and belonging are tightly correlative. Don’t mistake a team member’s extraversion as a sign they don’t need a discussion about how they’re doing. Over confidence can be a form of protective layer to deeper insecurities and vulnerabilities. People need to feel part of the team and finding time with each one is a great way to demonstrate it.
- Educate yourself and your team
Can you have a confident and transparent discussion with your team about mental illness? Are you familiar with how your behaviours are impacting other members of your team? Can you spot the mental health risk indicators in others? Education will help to build a community of care in your team and establish a greater sense of safety. Check out our training programs to get you started: https://www.theunitedproject.net/pages/retrain-your-brain
- Follow through
When you make a commitment to a team member, make sure you deliver against it. It’s a clear sign that you respect them, while role modelling the behaviour you want to see from them. This helps build trust and further validates the importance of that person and their work. Not to mention it being a great way to build a motivated and connected culture.