Culture starts at the top - so as leaders, the first step we can take to creating a culture of mental fitness in our organisations is to become mental fitness role models ourselves.
Read below for some evidence-based tips and techniques in how to model positive mental fitness behaviours as a leader:
Share your gratitude
There are many benefits associated with taking time each week to reflect on the things that you’re grateful for - increased happiness, improved sleep and reduced stress to name a few.
But as a leader you can bring the benefits of this practice to your teams by starting each meeting by thanking one team member for their contribution. This is something that we often forget to do during busy times, but this practice can ultimately boost team collective efficacy, satisfaction and positivity.
Bring mental fitness into feedback sessions
Too often feedback sessions focus on the outcome rather than the processes that led to that outcome. Leaders can encourage their team members to better reflect on their process by scaffolding conversations around the 7 skills of mental fitness (positivity, confidence, motivation, focus, stress management, connection and meaning). Leaders can not only invite team members to reflect on their strengths and areas for improvement, but also share how they feel they can better support their team members’ mental fitness. Taking connection as an example, do team members build strong cross-team relationships and seek out the support of others and how can leaders help create stronger connections?
Be vulnerable
Vulnerability is a demonstration of both trust and courage. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable with our team - sharing our mistakes, concerns and struggles - improves our relationship with them and grants them permission to do the same.
The evidence-base for Mental Fitness
Fika has proven that just five minutes of Mental Fitness training a day, three times a week for six weeks, not only prevents mental health decline, but improves performance, positivity and self-efficacy.
Find out more
Want to learn more about mental fitness training and how to integrate it across your organisation? Book a demo with one of our team.
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