Wellbeing insights
Special edition GLWS Insights Paper: CMHAA Workshop Insights
Last month the Corporate Mental Health Australia (CMHAA) Annual members gathering took place, where Kate Connors and I facilitated two workshops with over 50 Australian employers, examining the psychological health and functioning of leaders in the workplace today.
My Top 10 Takeaways from Adam Grant Live in Sydney
So here I am posing for a pic with Adam Grant but if the body language is anything to go by, I don’t think I should be bragging. I thought about drawing a little speech bubble from Adam that says “Help, I’m trapped!”
How do we move the needle on mental health outcomes?
Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the Sydney Ideas forum (University of Sydney) Shaping the Mental Health Agenda event in person. It was an inspiring event.
We are presiding over seismic change: How should organisations respond? Work Addiction (Part 4)
The implications of workaholism for both employees and employers are serious. Working excessively long hours not only fails to increase employee productivity but is also linked to higher rates of employee burnout and cynicism, increased legal, governance and...
Does working from home alter the risk of work addiction? Work Addiction (Part 3)
Before I can sensibly address the risks for work addicts specifically, there’s a bigger picture of challenges and benefits linked to working from home that demands attention. And Boom! There we have it – a segue to one of the biggest questions of our time: “Is working...
Addicted or highly engaged? How to identify a Work Addict and the red flags for those most at risk. Work Addiction (Part 2)
Before we plunge into the characteristics of Work Addiction and how to go about identifying those most at risk, let’s first cover off what we know from the research (and for the benefit of those who can’t relate to the notion of work being actually addictive?) Is work...
Can work be as addictive as drugs or alcohol? Work Addiction (Part 1)
Workaholism is real, work can be (negatively) addictive and some people are more at risk than others – especially when working from home. So what does this mean for employees and employers?
Why Psychometric Testing remains a spicy topic for people leaders
Psychometric testing in the workplace can be a thorny subject. Unless I’m in a particularly feisty mood, I’ve learned it's a topic best avoided at social gatherings. But in a professional setting, I know it’s safe to fill my boots! That’s because among...
Is hybrid working really a win-win?
Flexible working has shot to the top of the demands list for employees - especially those who have become accustomed to working from home for the last three years. However it’s hard to ignore the data that suggests that remote working can have negative consequences...
The Widening Gender Wellbeing Gap – Latest data insights and key questions to affect change
Though everyone experiences wellbeing differently, research has shown that certain groups of people fare more poorly. It's well known that females have faced significant inequality challenges that have impacted them in many ways. Though much progress has been...
GLWS Wellbeing Insight Papers
Everything you need to know, all in one place. From the rise of hybrid work, to emerging data around gender wellbeing differences and the elevation of regulatory obligations and responsible management of psychosocial risk, the complexity of workplace wellbeing has...
The single biggest leadership challenge of our time. My top 10 observations and insights.
Managing the psychosocial health and wellbeing of employees is a complex, adaptive, and emergent leadership challenge. In fact, I believe it’s the leadership challenge of our time. Why? Because unlike other leadership challenges, it’s a tricky, Rubix-cube of a...
Is your CSR agenda causing a talent backlash?
Investors love it when organisations put a strong tick in the ‘S’ of the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) box. And today's employment zeitgeist tells us CSR isn’t just the darling of the markets – employers and employees are also rather partial. Why and is it a...
Why we’re now working four days a week
What would happen if we adopted a four-day work week? We first touched on this topic more than two years ago, pre-pandemic, when we started to see early adopters switch to a shorter working week and evangelise its benefits. However back then, the shift from a...
The 7 reasons we NEED to measure leader wellbeing
The 7 reasons we need to measure leader wellbeing – and my top tips for measuring and reporting on leadership wellbeing in a way that enables positive change.
Defining good wellbeing: Episode 1, with BOM and Steople
I’m thrilled to bring you this new interview series in which I’m trying to answer the question I think I’m asked more than any other: What does good wellbeing practice look like in organisations? Of course I’m going to give you my bold answer, but in each episode I’ll...
Dreaming of the open road? 8 transitioning tips from an expert
It’s been 12 months since GLWS co-founder Karen Gillespie set off in a campervan to travel around Australia. How has she found her year on the road?
How to save leaders, employees and organisations on the brink of burnout
With the spotlight firmly (but gently and constructively) trained on an organisation’s senior leaders as both the source of the problem and the solution, I’m shining a torch into burnout’s darkest corners.
8 ways and 5 opportunities to show authentic vulnerability at work without causing yourself (or others) to cringe
It’s de rigueur for leaders to ‘show their vulnerability at work’. But ‘opening up’ can be a psychological minefield. Here’s your essential guide on the do’s and don’ts.
Audrey’s 2020 wrap-up: highlights from a lowlight year
Positive reflections on a challenging year, and grateful thanks
Audrey talks wellbeing strategy on the Simply, Practically Human podcast
I recently appeared on Mark LeBusque's podcast Simply, Practically Human. Have a listen to hear me explain why it takes time, resources and accountability to nail a successful wellbeing strategy which helps people feel a 'net positive' in the workplace. It's a bit...
How workplaces all over the world are coping
Read some of the conversations and interviews Audrey has been having with clients from across different corners of the globe about their pain points, both organisational, personal and consulting.
‘Woo woo’ v evidence-based – you choose
We are working on evaluating the benefits and impact of GLWS in a number of different ways.We’re presenting results from two distinct approaches here: How do GLWS respondents feel after completing the survey? What impact do GLWS respondents report after a fuller GLWS...
Is it wrong to want to find ‘flow’ again?
This week’s Wellbeing Insights article was guest written by a great friend of GLWS, Dr. Órla NicDomhnaill, CEO of Thrive Advisory.
Ah… focus and flow, how I miss thee! I have a distant memory of how you felt from February 2020!
Leading for wellbeing through Covid-19: Part 4
Part 4 of our Leading for Wellbeing through COVID-19 series is all about optimising Vitality & Energy. We all know the benefits of healthy food, exercise and good habits. There are many resources full of great ideas around those! This guide, however, is for when...
Leading for wellbeing through Covid-19: Part 3
While COVID-19 is a tragedy of unknown proportions, the enforced power-down has some silver linings for many of us: seeing more of our families, our days are less of a mad race against the clock, we’ve got more manageable workloads and the risk of burnout is lower. ...
Leading for wellbeing through Covid-19: Part 2
Seems like part one of our ‘SOS guide’ hit the spot, so without further ado – here’s the next instalment in the series. Our focus this week is on helping leaders and their teams to build and maintain their Resilience & Equanimity, with a strong emphasis on...
Leading for wellbeing through Covid-19: Part 1
The Covid-19 pandemic has left many wellbeing professionals not knowing how or where (or even whether) to step in and help. But we think it’s an important time to be making a difference, and for leaders, it’s a chance to demonstrate exceptional leadership. We’ve tried...
Which is better for you – Order or Chaos?
Ha! Trick question. We need both. Like Yang needs Yin. So that’s it for this week’s blog! (Or, if you would like the longer answer, please read on.) This one's a bit personal and perhaps a little self-indulgent, but it’s true and resonant for me as I write. The...
How has workplace wellbeing evolved?
A big question, and one we sought to answer when we invited you, our GLWS wellbeing community, to share your observations with us when we instigated a piece of field research at the end of last year. (We’ve rolled your responses into our findings, The State of...
3 reasons why lack of sleep will damage your team culture
We’re hearing a lot these days about how important sleep is as the foundation for wellbeing and long-term health. But have you heard about the links between sleep deprivation, unethical behaviour, hostility and workplace deviance? If not, you might find the following...
Defeating distress: surviving – and thriving – in the 21st century ‘pressure cooker’
In the world of psychotherapy, one of the most important goals is to help a client sit comfortably with their distress, to explore it, label it, and consider it from different angles all without trying to change it or push it away. Because when it comes to distress,...
When work is not ‘just a job’ – why having a sense of purpose is more important than profit (even if you’re a banker)
Most days we love our work here at EEK & SENSE. The days fly past, the challenges are plenty and there’s usually someone, somewhere who needs our help. It is said that ‘doing good does you good’, and on the very best of days, there’s a natural high. Seeing others...
The three pillars of building economically and socially thriving organisations
Our ‘building economically and socially thriving organisations’ infographic has been a runaway hit with those who saw it in our last edition of Wellbeing Insights. So for this article, I’ll split up the three columns of the graphic and focus on each individually. The...
The facts and figures on wellbeing as a driver of thriving humans and business
Firstly, thanks to our amazing and engaged community of readers for all your responses to our last piece about the impact of mental ill-health and low wellbeing, and how if left unmanaged it may lead to a whole range of distress and loss of function for the humans in...
Could we solve the world’s problems by focusing on this one thing?
In my best professional opinion, the world has gone nuts. In days gone by (and not so very long ago), the world of politics and business were pretty boring for most of us. Not anymore. Here’s a sample from just this week’s news: Hong Kong protests plunge city into...
Highlights from the 2019 Wellbeing @ Work Event
I was privileged to be part of the Future of Work Insights' recent Wellbeing @ Work Event in Sydney on 26 September. I introduced the leader’s panel, interviewing: Luke Baylis, CEO of SumoSalad, Michael Ferguson, CFO of Downer Group, And Berkeley Cox, Chief Executive...
3 key steps & common barriers to successful leader-led wellbeing
In the wild, senior elephants work together to create an environment which protects the least experienced, younger members - minimising harm and allowing them to flourish. In many ways, the task of senior leaders is similar to the adult elephants’ role. The old idea...
Wellbeing from the wheelchair
How would your wellbeing be affected if you lived in a wheelchair and were reliant on others for absolutely everything – even down to scratching your nose when it’s itchy? Hard to imagine, isn’t it? It’s hard to consider having ‘wellbeing’ with this level of physical...
Why Musk has it wrong on workaholism – and how leaders can work smarter not harder
A couple of weeks ago we brought you a piece on drug and alcohol use - profiling those at risk of addiction, the impact of addiction and 10 suggestions for how organisations can support those battling with addiction. This week, I’m talking you through the area our...
Podcast: co-founder Audrey speaks about leader wellbeing and the GLWS
I was recently a guest on Murray Wright’s Leadership Moments podcast. I spoke in detail about my career, partnership with Karen Gillespie and the creation of GLWS, and discussed how leader wellbeing and performance go hand in hand. Listen to the audio here – and see...
Addiction at work: how should organisations respond?
When I speak to business leaders there is often a reluctance to recognise or discuss the possibility that there are ‘high-functioning addicts’ in their business. A ‘high-functioning addict’ is characterised by someone who appears to be ‘normal’ from the outside - they...
How might we be with an extra day up our sleeve each week?
Remember the headlines last year about the company in NZ operating on a 4-day week with record productivity? It seems to have really got people talking.HR folks, bosses and line managers alike have had their imaginations captured - and conversations are bubbling away...
Dropped the ball recently? Good!
Work and life are all-consuming. Or, they can be if we don’t watch out. Many of us are doing complex and demanding jobs, running businesses with demanding shareholders, customers and employees - whilst also juggling our family and personal lives. There’s never enough...
Why I wanted to run away… and what stopped me
What I’m about to say might shock you.People can be poisonous. Or at least say and do poisonous things. People we like - even love - can be a source of disappointment and distress and have a poisonous effect on those around them.Sometimes, I wish everyone would just...
Why it’s rest – not sleep – you could be deprived of
When we ask our GLWS survey clients how they look after themselves, their responses tend to fall into three categories: sleep, exercise and nutrition. The least likely category to get a mention is rest, or ‘taking a break’. Our clients usually associate the word...
Why fasting should be on your menu
Back in the day… In a world without electric light, humans were governed by the cycles of light and dark in everything we did, including finding, preparing and consuming food. We would acquire food when it was available, consume it, use that energy for immediate...
Do we choose busy, or does busy choose us?
That leaders work long hours is one thing, but whether this is by necessity or choice is another. Overly full schedules during conventional business hours combined with the home-based ‘second shift’ in the evening is the norm for many. But is this level of effort...
Can we tackle obesity and poverty at the same time?
How does one conference veer from business solutions for world poverty and disadvantage to the best means of tackling obesity?Earlier this week, I attended the two-day Workplace Wellness Summit held at the International Convention Centre here in Sydney. It was a...
Laying down the law on wellbeing
The legal profession is a popular and lucrative career pathway, but it’s become famous for many of the wrong reasons. Reputable studies have long reported depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders in law firm employees running at rates of between 1 in 3 to 1 in...
Digital detox: What’s the big deal?
There is a new market sector in the wellbeing world that has sprung up over the past few years – digital detoxing. There are: Books & articles (including the ubiquitous ‘Seven Steps…’) Apps to assist (ironically) by limiting overall screen time or social media use...
“Men-oh!-pause”: serious stigmatisation and its implications for leadership diversity and performance
These days, most of us are hyper-aware (appropriately so) of the need for more female leaders at the top of organisations. Quite apart from being significantly under-represented in the exec teams of the world’s largest companies, substantial evidence showing gender...
Do you know Christine?
Christine* didn’t know if she wanted to do this anymore. ‘This’ being her senior executive role. Her long climb to the top had been a mixture of thrilling achievements, hard work and personal sacrifice. Now she had reached the summit (or so it appeared). She had the...
Changing the business plan – working together on wellbeing culture
With less than 8 weeks to go before year-end for most Australian businesses, it’s that time of year again when we see the mad cycle of harried performance reviews and business planning. This year, we expect a growing number of organisations to be talking about where...
Open-plan, hot-desking… the fast-track to poor wellbeing & performance
Remember the days of heading into work, arriving at your desk, and maybe even your own office, and finding it just as you left it?Same place, same chair, same plant, same view…Heaven, wasn’t it?(This may not apply If you are under 40 or not working in an office...
Workplace incivility, inclusivity, engagement and wellbeing
There’s no doubt our modern world is exposing us to increasing incivility in politics and society – both at home and around the globe. Thankfully, fewer than one in twenty of us report experiencing regular interactions that are toxic (EEK & SENSE, Global...
10 relaxation techniques for a busy world
There is a lot going on in the world at present… And you aren’t alone if you are feeling a little stressed, disheartened, demoralised or melancholy in response to the daily news (never mind what might be going on in your own personal life). Between the New Zealand...
Hygge, Coorie, Ikigai… Are they the real deal?
At this year’s World Government Summit (WGS) Global Conversation on Happiness & Wellbeing, I attended a talk from a very cool guy called Ken Mogi. (By the way, if you missed my four-part series reporting from the WGS, you can catch up here.) Ken is a...
GLWS at the WGS: Part four
We’re bringing you part four of our series from the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai – a global gathering of world leaders from public, private and global organisations from over 150 countries. Today, our detailed breakdown of a fascinating talk from Simon Sinek...
GLWS at the WGS: Part three
If you’ve seen any of our last few Wellbeing Insights articles you’ll know we’ve been reporting from the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai – a global gathering of world leaders from public, private and global organisations from over 150 countries. Today we’re...
The virtuous cycle of innovation and wellbeing
How creative were you yesterday? Pause for a moment, and really think about this... Did you engage in any creative activity, come up with an innovative idea or solution... contribute to something completely new and different? Maybe you thought about an innovation to a...
GLWS at the WGS: Part two
In last week’s edition of Wellbeing Insights, we shared the context for the World Government Summit (WGS)'s focus on wellbeing and happiness.In today's article, we’ll bring you the best bits from two keynote presentations and share the implications for leaders and...
GLWS at the WGS: Part one
We were honoured to be invited guests at this year’s annual gathering of the World Government Summit (WGS) held last week in Dubai. There were over 4000 participants, comprising world leaders from public, private and global organisations from over 150 countries. (Not...
Experiencing more ‘ebb’ than ‘flow’? This is for you!
Last year, Karen and I spent a week together in Hong Kong. I remember it well. We were totally in the groove. Err... no... not dancing in clubs, don’t worry. What I mean is that we were ‘in the zone’ – energised, inspired and loving the challenge of learning and...
Complexity: a simple issue for wellbeing
This one's a little heavier... but then we’re not all lightness and roses. ? Complexity. Complexity. Complexity. It’s everywhere, all around us. And if you are like most people, there will be days when you are yearning for simpler times from days gone by. But we can’t...
Are you being intrusive or supportive? 8 tips for asking staff about their wellbeing
We’ve been asked for our thoughts about how to approach talking about staff wellbeing. It starts with an important distinction: Wellbeing and mental health – leaders, note the difference! When we talk about ‘wellbeing’, it’s important firstly to think of wellbeing in...
The ground-breaking research changing how we think about suicide
WARNING: This blog post contains themes that could be distressing for some readers. If you might be sensitive to or upset by subject matter around suicide, consider holding off on this one for now. Whether you’re the boss, a colleague, a clinician in the caring...
A dummy’s guide to the new science on body-brain health and why it changes everything
Warning! Buckle in and hold on tight, it’s a fast and unfamiliar ride this week. As the driver, I’m attempting to take you places and explain stuff that even the field’s top experts don’t yet fully understand, and I realise this is very much a work in progress for us....
The wellbeing secrets of happy high-achievers
There is no universal unconditionally optimal formula that will deliver wellbeing.Sure, we have lots of knowledge guiding us about how we should eat, drink, sleep, exercise, rest, play, relate and self-actualize, but the range and variety of what each of us needs is...
8 of our personal wellbeing tips for managing change
In early 2018 we found ourselves managing our way through a major change – the rebranding of our leadership wellbeing survey to GLWS. It was a change 12 months in the making and one that taught us a lot about managing our own wellbeing through challenging phases. As...
Breaking news: we might all die by the chair…
Actually, it's not really the chairs that are killing us, it's the act of sitting on them for extended periods each day. And it's not really 'breaking news' either - the phrase 'sitting is the new smoking' has been around for a while. Yet it seems many of us aren't...
What to do when bad things happen to good people
It’s never easy to see someone suffer. Our humanity is our compassion for others’ plight. We are hard-wired to reduce others’ distress.
The wellbeing secrets of 2000 business leaders… revealed!
This week we’re sharing positive insights from the GLWS wellbeing profiles of 2000 leaders to find out the wellbeing drivers behind some of Australia’s most high-performing business leaders.
How to survive pre-Christmas stress
Welcome to the silly season! If you’re anything like us, this time of year can leave you feeling just a tad unhinged – there’s so much on your to-do list before Santa comes barrelling down the chimney and you take a well-earned break.
The last stop on the journey
One of the defining elements of ‘wellbeing’ as it is generally considered today is the focus on thriving, flourishing and living life to its fullest.
A different way of giving this Christmas?
In the run up to the festive season, it seems timely to focus on the positive wellbeing benefits that come from ‘giving back,’ or volunteering and contributing to something greater than our own self-interest.
How to avoid loneliness (and embrace solitude)
Having just had a month away from everything and everyone, I can report back… the solitude was sublime. Far from being lonely, I revelled in the space and freedom each day presented.
Frankly speaking, this is what we think about work-life balance!
Like every other aspect of leaders’ wellbeing, ‘work-life balance’ is a subjective and dynamic phenomenon. At GLWS we’re well tuned into this space – both professionally (as psychologists and coaches) and personally (as working mums, daughters, sisters and friends…
Too many bad meetings? 20 tips for a healthier meeting culture
Organisations are promoting collaborative, flatter, less hierarchical and more inclusive workplace cultures for many fine reasons. Consultation, empowerment and engagement are in, autocratic authoritarianism is out. And mostly we say that’s a very good thing, but...
Understanding the neuroscience of empathy
Two of the more common reasons behind requests for coaching are: “This person is very smart and technically able, but poor on people skills and general emotional intelligence.”…
Is being a leader beneficial or detrimental to your wellbeing?
You know good leaders are good for their team’s wellbeing and performance. But did you know a leader’s own wellbeing is a critical determinant of his or her effectiveness?
Gender and wellbeing
What are we learning about gender differences in leaders’ wellbeing? This week, we’re sharing some of our research findings and considering the implications for leaders and those designing workplace programs.
Scientists agree you should plan your next break right now
Plan your breaks, before you break. The science is clear: professionals who factor in micro, mini and longer breaks ahead of time not only feel better but also perform and stay at their peak and are more successful. In Boston Consulting Group’s…
The Wellbeing Contagion Effect
Don’t worry… we aren’t going to be discussing germs, infections or rashes! Instead, our topic this week is exploring the role of behavioural and emotionalcontagion, and how these conditions stand to significantly impact the ROI from wellbeing investment in organisations.
Why being grumpy can be good for you
There’s never more pressure to be happy than leading into the silly season. But with less than 3 months to go, you may actually find yourself feeling tenser and more irritable than usual. In my case, after a few days of providing uncharacteristically direct (okay…
Breaking News: Self-Doubt Is Good For You!
Imposter syndrome, self-doubt, my inner critic, the ‘lizard on my shoulder’... Just a few of the ways that our coaching clients refer to their perception of not being ‘good enough’ or ‘as good as others’. Does this resonate with you? I’m expecting about 60% of you to...
How 10 minutes of exercise will make you 30% healthier
Don’t wait for 1 Jan to kick-start your new year exercise and wellness regime. Get a jump ahead of the wellbeing game this weekend with our ultimate ‘cheat’s’ guide to exercise. Our EEK & SENSE research suggests 57% of MEWS respondents aren’t regularly getting the...
How to make sure wellbeing gets a seat at the table
“Do you think wellbeing is a fad?” I was asked this recently and my instinctive response was “I hope not!”. Not given how much positive change I have seen come about through the recent focus on wellbeing. But, thinking more about it, it’s a fair question....
Calm your mind and body in 8 minutes
Are you: Having trouble switching off? Feeling uptight and on edge? Finding it hard to go to sleep? Experiencing restless sleep? Don’t panic! We’ve got the perfect answer to help you wind down – Spotify your life! Stress comes in all shapes and sizes these days. But...
On your mark… Get set…
Are you one of the 40% of leaders who report that their workdays always or often feel like a race against the clock?Do you start every morning like the runners above?This question in our Global Leadership Wellbeing Survey is consistently endorsed as one of the biggest...
What’s your hump?
Have you ever heard “It’s genetic” or “It runs in the family” when discussing a physical, mental or personality characteristic that you have (or one that might be coming your way)?You know the sort of thing...“Everyone gets bad knees in this family”…“That bunion is...
Nightmare leaders… and their dark wellbeing shadow
As anyone who’s ever worked for a ‘dark’ leader will testify, their behaviour can have a devastating impact on the wellbeing and performance of those around them. The negative consequence is amplified if you add high extraversion and low emotional intelligence into...
When was your last human touch? Touch deprivation in a #MeToo world
My interest was piqued this week by a radio segment about the prevalence of touch deprivation and research about how it increases aggressive behaviour among adolescents. Leading researcher, Tiffany Field, from The University of Miami’s Touch Research Institute was...
Inspiring Leadership through (brain) chemicals. It’s not just for leaders.
Some basic psychology and knowledge of the chemicals that unconsciously govern our behaviour can make leaders more effective. Whether you know it or not, your life is managed by chemicals. They’re not the chemicals you get from…
Do a stocktake of your work relationships today
Are your work relationships working? If you were to conduct a straw poll about what causes the most stress at work, odds are most of your colleagues would point to gripes with their boss, staff, colleagues, clients, or other senior stakeholders. Relationships have a...
Celebrating success. It’s good for you AND your team
According to our research, more than 50% of leaders don’t regularly reflect on what’s going well for them at work. That’s an awful lot of people not taking the time to stop and ‘smell the roses.’ I wonder what it’s like working for one of these leaders? Given the...
Make friends with your telomeres
If you’re like me, you prefer a bit of science behind the recommendations on diet, exercise and other wellness activities that abound in the popular press. Certainly, if you’re going to try one (or a few) you want to know that it’s going to deliver the claimed...
Is resilience all it’s cracked up to be?
Lately, it seems resilience is being heralded as the answer to just about everything. But is it the secret to work and life success? Or a bandaid for dealing with toxic environments? What is resilience? Having the capacity to recover from or adjust easily to...
Letting go of needing things to be a certain way
I had a scary moment recently. I tripped over backwards and found myself on the ground in the path of a big horse who was, at that moment, a little out of sorts and out of control. Luckily, he was calmed down and I quickly got back on my feet, escaping with nothing...
Are You a Closet Zookeeper?
Do you need to check in on your meaning and purpose? It’s important to have a future that is inspiring and appealing. There have to be reasons why you get up in the morning and why you want to live. Think about what inspires you and what you can love about the...
See the GLWS™ in action now with a suite of sample reports
If you are a leader, or a coach working with leaders, you can find out how the GLWS works in practice by reviewing our suite of reports. Sign up here to get instant access.
Intrigued to learn more? Book in a call with one of our team today.
