It’s Mental Health Awareness Week this week (26 September – 2 October). Mental health and wellbeing is something we should be talking about year-round, but so far, a large part of the conversation this year has focused on employees’ mental wellbeing. But what about our managers?

It has been a tough couple of years for many business owners. We spoke to Gail from Positive Pathways who suggests we spare a thought for our managers wellbeing too and provides tips on how employees can contribute to boosting morale and productivity by supporting their leaders.

The last couple of years have taken their toll on everyone. The emphasis has mainly been on mangers looking after their employees’ wellbeing and ensuring they keep the business afloat.

But it’s time to turn the tables. Employees play a vital role in the success of your business and have a key role in supporting manager’s wellbeing. That’s right; the health and well-being of your manager can have a direct impact on your company’s bottom line and ultimately upon the morale of the whole team.

Here are a few ways employees can support your manager’s wellbeing:

Be an active listener. Whenever your manager is talking to you, give them your undivided attention. This includes putting away your phone, making eye contact, and asking clarifying questions. Active listening will show your manager that you care about what they’re saying and that you’re invested in their success.

Offer help when needed. If you see your manager struggling to complete a task or meet a deadline, offer to help out. This doesn’t mean doing their job for them; rather, it means taking on some of the workload so they don’t feel overwhelmed.

Encourage healthy habits. A healthy mind leads to a healthy body, so encourage your manager to eat right, exercise, or simply reminding them to take breaks throughout the day.

Highlight their strengths. We all have weaknesses, but it’s important to focus on our strengths as well. Help your manager do this by pointing out whenever they excel at something or accomplish something great. A little positive reinforcement can go a long way!

Deliver without needing reminders. Your manager will be juggling lots of different balls, many that you don’t know about. When there are deadlines to meet, play your part. Keep your manager up to date on your progress. Let them know if there are any roadblocks and go to them with solutions, not problems.

Your manager’s wellbeing is important for many reasons. Not only does it directly impact their job performance, but it also impacts the morale of the entire team. As an employee, you have the power to make a difference in your manager’s wellbeing. By being an active listener, offering help when needed, encouraging healthy habits, and highlighting their strengths, you can be a valuable asset in supporting your manager’s mental health—and in turn, the success of your company.

Gail is a communication and mindset coach. Shaker-upper of workplace cultures – in the most positive of ways. She supports businesses to help create a healthy workplace, where people know how to have great conversations and can communicate well in tricky situations. When your people feel listened to, respected, and free to show up as their authentic selves in their workplace, that’s where the magic happens. So, if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, tackle the communication blocks that exist in your workplace, reduce stress and conflict, and boost morale and productivity: then get in touch with Gail at Positive Pathways. Email gail@positivepathways.co.nz.

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