Head of Learning and Organizational Development at SMDC

Liezhel Joy Jamilano

Workplace mental health is a global challenge, and leadership plays a critical role in employees' mental well-being. An excessive focus on Key Results Areas (KRAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) may drive leaders to prioritize business results at the expense of an employee’s cognitive wellness. To balance performance and well-being, leaders should leverage two vital factors: joy in the workplace and psychological safety.

Cultivating Joy in the Workplace

Joy, deeply connected to the inner self, can endure over time. To cultivate joy in the workplace, employees must find meaning in their work. Here are two questions to help uncover this meaning:

1. Why do you exist? / What is your life purpose?

Sample Responses:

● “I exist to bring glory to God regardless of what I am called to do.”

● "I exist to love my family."

● "I exist to help make the world a better place through kindness."

2. What cause would inspire you to make a stand as a leader?

Sample Responses:

● "I will always make a stand when my people are robbed of their peace."

● "I will always support mental health in the organization."

Answering these questions can be challenging and is best done individually within a small group discussion. Hearing others' responses can inspire purpose in those struggling to find their own answers.

Leaders must promote this meaning-making by:

1. Sharing each other’s secrets of meaning.

2. Celebrating this sense of purpose openly and recommending it to others to help them discover their meaning at work and in life.

Creating Psychological Safety

An empathic leader creates and sustains psychological safety in the workplace, which is crucial for mental health. Establishing an environment where employees can be themselves involves these six principles:

Leaders have a direct impact on the mental health of employees, which is closely tied to work performance. By promoting meaning at work and creating a psychologically safe environment, leaders can maximize performance and foster well-being. This approach not only benefits the organization but also has the potential to profoundly change employees' personal lives.