{"id":17075,"date":"2024-08-05T14:04:28","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T19:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bbinsurance.com\/?post_type=insight&p=17075"},"modified":"2024-08-05T14:04:28","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T19:04:28","slug":"to-maintain-strong-teams-support-their-mental-health-all-year-round","status":"publish","type":"insight","link":"https:\/\/www.bbrown.com\/us\/insight\/to-maintain-strong-teams-support-their-mental-health-all-year-round\/","title":{"rendered":"To Maintain Strong Teams, Support Their Mental Health\u2014All Year Round"},"content":{"rendered":"

To Maintain Strong Teams, Support Their Mental Health\u2014All Year Round
\n<\/b>by Julie Turpin, Chief People Officer at Brown & Brown Insurance<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\n

A teammate recently told me, \u201cEverything looks negative for me right now.\u201d As a leader and someone who cares for this person, I found this to be a really tough thing to hear.<\/p>\n

I believe mental health \u2014 or what we at Brown & Brown refer to as brain health \u2014 is critical year-round (not just during Mental Health Awareness Month), and it\u2019s our responsibility as leaders to help care for the mental health of our teams.<\/p>\n

According to a 2023 Workforce Institute survey<\/a><\/span>, 60% of teammates worldwide report that their job most impacts their mental health. Additionally, 69% of respondents revealed that leaders impact a teammate\u2019s mental health just as much as their significant other.<\/p>\n

Many of the techniques available to support your team members through mental health challenges are ones we\u2019ve worked on and discussed before. They are tools you already have in your backpack<\/a><\/span>. However, we should always work to strengthen these skills and employ them in new ways as effective leaders.<\/p>\n

Here are three practices all leaders should incorporate to support the mental health of their team:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Be present<\/strong><\/p>\n

Being present as a leader is more than just showing up for meetings and delegating work. It involves truly engaging with team members, observing their behavior and recognizing when something seems off.<\/p>\n

This presence is crucial for identifying early signs of mental health struggles. Leaders should ask themselves: \u201cHow do I ensure I\u2019m present enough to notice the details?\u201d<\/p>\n

Being present involves active listening, asking open-ended questions and showing empathy<\/a><\/span>. It\u2019s about creating a safe space where team members feel comfortable sharing their challenges without fear of judgment.<\/p>\n

Put this into practice with:<\/p>\n

\u25cf Regular check-ins: <\/strong>Schedule consistent one-on-one meetings with team members. These should not just focus on work but also on how they are feeling and coping with their tasks. This creates an opportunity for team members to open up about any issues they may be facing.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Body language: <\/strong>Pay attention to your body language. Maintain eye contact, nod in acknowledgment, and avoid distractions like checking your phone or laptop during conversations. This shows that you are fully engaged in the interaction.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Active listening: <\/strong>Frequently reflect on what you\u2019re hearing to ensure true understanding. Sometimes, repeating back what you hear can provide confirmation and open up the dialogue even more. For example, you might say, \u201cIt sounds like the current workload is overwhelming you. Let\u2019s discuss how we can redistribute tasks or prioritize differently.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u25cf Feedback loops: <\/strong>Create an environment where feedback is encouraged and valued. Regularly solicit feedback from team members on leadership and team dynamics. This can help leaders understand the team\u2019s pulse and address issues promptly.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Have the hard conversations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Addressing mental health issues often involves having difficult but necessary conversations<\/a><\/span>. When a team member is struggling, it might impact their work performance. It\u2019s human nature to avoid conflict or awkwardness, but leaders must be willing to engage in open and honest dialogue. We cannot get to the root of the problem and offer the appropriate support if we don\u2019t put in the effort to address it.<\/p>\n

Signs that a team member is struggling include:<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Decreased productivity or quality of work<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Increased absenteeism or tardiness<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Noticeable changes in mood or behavior<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Withdrawal from team interactions or activities<\/p>\n

When preparing to have a tough conversation, creating a safe and supportive environment is crucial. This can be achieved by ensuring privacy, showing empathy and being ready to listen more than you speak.<\/p>\n

Additionally, you might ask questions to guide them through the conversation, which will be just as difficult for them. For example, during the discussion with the teammate above, I asked, \u201cHow do you feel like I\u2019m not supporting you?\u201d This question opened the door for them to share their concerns and provide details of their experience for me to respond to.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Take care of yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n

As leaders, we cannot effectively support our teams if we neglect our own mental health. Showing up for yourself helps you show up for others<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Knowing yourself deeply is one of the best ways to take control of your mental health. When we understand how to see the world, react to challenges and express our emotions, we have a better chance of recognizing our own struggles and need for support.<\/p>\n

Here are some questions and prompts I use to jumpstart the practice of genuinely knowing yourself:<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What drains your energy?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 List some old and new beliefs about yourself.<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How can you be more honest and open with yourself and others?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What is something you haven\u2019t forgiven yourself for yet?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What are you most defensive about?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What do you criticize in others?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What difficult thoughts or emotions come up most frequently for you?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What are your go-to strategies when you feel pain?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What is something you are tolerating that you do not want to be?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What does vulnerability look and feel to you?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When do you feel the most comfortable?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do you believe in second chances? Why or why not?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What do you think is your most toxic trait?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When was the last time someone really checked up on you?<\/p>\n

The role of the leader is the role of the human<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leadership is the constant balance between humanity and authority.<\/p>\n

Situations that demand swift action, critical decision-making or maintaining organizational stability may require us to momentarily shift focus from being purely empathetic to being more strategic and directive. However, the key to being a good leader is never truly abandoning compassion and empathy and ensuring your actions always reflect a genuine concern for your team\u2019s well-being.<\/p>\n

\n

We do better as a group when we support each other individually. Take time to refocus your priorities as a leader and set intentions for the months ahead to continuously prioritize human connection and well-being within your teams.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

PurposeFULL Leadership
\n<\/strong>How Personal & Professional Growth Can Help You Lead A Fullfilled Life
\nby Julie Turpin, Chief People Officer at Brown & Brown Insurance<\/em><\/p>\n

Subscribe to Julie’s PurposeFULL Leadership and view this blog on LinkedIn here<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discover how leaders can prioritize mental health year-round to build resilient teams in this insightful newsletter by Julie Turpin.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":18777,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"insight_category":[133],"class_list":["post-17075","insight","type-insight","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","insight_category-thought-leadership"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTo Maintain Strong Teams, Support Their Mental Health\u2014All Year Round - Brown & Brown<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how leaders can prioritize mental health year-round to build resilient teams in this insightful newsletter by Julie Turpin.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbrown.com\/us\/insight\/to-maintain-strong-teams-support-their-mental-health-all-year-round\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"To Maintain Strong Teams, Support Their Mental Health\u2014All Year Round\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover how leaders can prioritize mental health year-round to build resilient teams in this insightful newsletter by Julie Turpin.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bbrown.com\/us\/insight\/to-maintain-strong-teams-support-their-mental-health-all-year-round\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Brown & Brown\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bbrown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1722524124560.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1425\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"836\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bbrown.com\\\/us\\\/insight\\\/to-maintain-strong-teams-support-their-mental-health-all-year-round\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bbrown.com\\\/us\\\/insight\\\/to-maintain-strong-teams-support-their-mental-health-all-year-round\\\/\",\"name\":\"To Maintain Strong Teams, Support Their Mental Health\u2014All Year Round - 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