In today's post-pandemic landscape, only 24% of employees believe their organisation prioritises wellbeing. Yet the modern workplace can be stressful: reduced budgets, stretched resources, and increased responsibilities impact workloads, affect the pace of projects, and make balancing strategy and operations challenging.
It’s clear that organisations and their leaders need to do more to support their employees. That’s where authentic leadership comes in. We explore the benefits of authentic leadership and provide strategies to help you adopt it, positively impacting your team’s wellbeing.
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‘The pandemic was an urgent wake-up call,’ says Kate Sullivan, Global Head of Services and Talent at British Council Corporate English Solutions.
‘In the early days, many employees felt their organisations didn’t care about their wellbeing. Organisations responded by dedicating extra resources to support their physical, mental, and emotional health.’
Fast forward to today, and wellbeing is still a top priority – rightly so. In Gallup’s recent global workplace study, only 24% of employees strongly agree that their organisation cares about their overall wellbeing. This is a significant drop from the 49% reported in 2020.
And research shows that managers have a huge impact on their teams’ wellbeing and mental health.
So, what can leaders do to enhance workplace wellbeing? Embracing authentic leadership is key.
We interviewed Kate to explore what authentic leadership involves and why it is crucial for workplace wellbeing. Read on for insights and tips on how to adopt authentic leadership and positively impact your team’s wellbeing.
What is authentic leadership and why is it important?
‘Authentic leadership isn’t a new concept,’ says Kate. ‘As Bill George, who wrote the book on authentic leadership 20 years ago, recently defined it: “Being an authentic leader is being who you are.”’
But it’s not an excuse to be aggressive, rude or unprofessional and say, ‘I’m just being who I am.’ Authentic leadership is not a simple task. It involves developing self-awareness, embracing vulnerability, showing empathy, and leading with integrity. An authentic leader builds trust fosters open communication, and nurtures connections.
Kate adds, ‘Authentic leadership contributes to a positive work environment, with research supporting its significant impact on engagement and job satisfaction, which in turn benefits mental health and overall wellbeing.’
Try these authentic leadership strategies to support your team’s wellbeing.
1. Authentic leaders grow trust
At the heart of authentic leadership is your ability to show empathy, crucial for building trust within your team.
When you recognise and value team members’ emotions, you demonstrate that their perspectives and experiences matter. This helps them feel respected and understood, encouraging them to be more open and honest. As a result, they are more likely to share their thoughts and concerns without fear of judgement, fostering a deeper sense of connection and collaboration within the team.
Start by making room for silence. When team members share their concerns, listen attentively without immediately rushing to fix the problem. This demonstrates respect for their perspectives and shows that their feelings are valued.
Practice active listening and validate their emotions. As Kate highlights ‘Sometimes, just acknowledging their emotions is enough to make them feel understood and supported.’
By incorporating these practices, you can create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves.
2. Authentic leaders nurture connection and relationships
Authentic leaders excel at creating spaces where team members can communicate openly and collaborate effectively, fostering a culture of mutual respect and shared purpose.
Be consistently available and approachable. Regularly check in with your team members, not just during formal meetings but also through casual, everyday interactions. Show genuine interest in their lives and interests and share details about your personal life to build rapport and create a more relatable and open atmosphere.
Kate advises, ‘provide opportunities for your team to work together on projects and participate in team activities to enhance team cohesion and foster an environment where everyone feels included and understood.’
Another important aspect is to encourage team members to share their ideas and feedback openly. Establish a culture where their input is welcomed and acted upon, demonstrating that their contributions are valued.
3. Authentic leaders support mental and emotional health
Creating a supportive work environment involves more than just addressing day-to-day tasks; it needs a focus on the mental and emotional well-being of your team.
‘One key approach in authentic leadership is to be open about your own challenges and vulnerabilities. This can set a tone of openness that encourages team members to share their own challenges,’ suggests Kate. This transparency helps to build trust and makes it easier for team members to discuss their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Proactively address stress management by incorporating regular wellbeing check-ins into your team meetings. Starting each session with a simple question like ‘How are you?’ can foster more meaningful interactions and contributes to a supportive team environment.
Invite team members to discuss how they manage stress to promote a sense of community and shared responsibility. Direct your team to your organisation’s wellbeing resources to ensure they have access to the support they need.
Ensure inclusivity by making meetings accessible via video, particularly for hybrid or remote teams. This helps combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, making everyone feel more connected and supported.
These practices demonstrate that self-care is a strength rather than a weakness.
Embracing an authentic leadership approach
In today’s uncertain and challenging workplace, authentic leadership is crucial for building trust and fostering a positive, supportive environment.
Adopting this approach not only nurtures team health and wellbeing but also prepares your organisation for future success by creating an empowered, resilient and engaged workforce.
What steps will you and your organisation take?
British Council has 90 years’ experience of partnering with organisations in over 200 countries to upskill their workforce for success.
Grow your employees’ soft skills with our Professional Skills programmes, to develop key competencies to support wellbeing. From EQ to time management, leading global teams to communication, our targeted learning solutions deliver impact.
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