8 Strategies for Leaders to Improve Team Communication on Health and Well-being

Leaders have a responsibility to guide their teams towards success, which starts with health and well-being. Yet, simply implementing wellness initiatives isn’t enough to truly make an impact. Effective communication is key to fostering a workplace culture focused on health and well-being.

8 Ways Leaders Can Inspire an Open Dialogue About Health

Effective communication in an organization starts at the top. Here are eight ways leaders can improve team health and well-being through communication

1. Lead by Example

If you want to inspire more open dialogue among your teams regarding what is and isn’t working with your health initiatives and what support they need, it pays to lead by example. Be open and share your health-related experiences (if you’re comfortable). This can show that it’s “okay” to discuss such matters in the workplace. For example, you may share the importance of taking time away from work for your mental and physical health, showing that even leadership knows to step back and put their well-being first.

2. Encourage Breaks When Needed

Along these lines, encourage team members to take time away when needed. This may mean advocating for them to use vacation time or establishing periods of work that are off-limits to meetings so team members can focus on getting their work done.

If you feel your team might have too much on their plates to take breaks, empower them to speak up about it — without repercussion.

3. Be Honest about Bandwidth

Similarly, encourage team members to be honest about their bandwidth. Discourage the practice of taking on too much and sacrificing physical and mental health to accomplish more work. Instead, provide the support your teams need and teach delegation skills.

4. Create a Safe Space for Dialogue

Some team members may not feel comfortable discussing their health at work. Strive to make the process easier by asking how you can support them and how they’re genuinely doing in one-on-one meetings.

5. Encourage Peer Support

Promote a culture of peer support where team members feel comfortable supporting each other’s health goals through wellness challenges and similar group activities.

6. Respect Privacy

As you push for open dialogue among your teams, be sure never to cross boundaries. Respect team members’ privacy and ensure they feel comfortable discussing health matters rather than being pressured.

7. Offer Training and Coaching

Provide training sessions on health awareness and communication skills or provide health coaching to employees. Educating the team on various health topics can reduce stigma and empower them to engage in open discussions.

8. Implement Feedback Systems

Finally, embolden team members to provide you with feedback regarding what is and isn’t working in your workplace health and wellness initiatives. Ensure they can provide feedback anonymously and use it to make changes.

Phrases for Leaders to Use to Encourage Openness and Improve Employee Engagement

Whether in group meetings or one-on-one discussions, the following phrases can help you foster open dialogue with your employees around their needs and health and wellness:

• “I want to make sure you’re getting the support you need. How has your workload felt lately?”
• “What has your energy level been like during the workday? Do you feel like you’re getting the breaks you need?”
• “As we look ahead, are there any adjustments or support that could make your experience here more sustainable?”
• “I just want to remind you that my door is always open if there’s anything you want to discuss or need support with.”
• “Please reach out if anything changes or if you need additional support. Your well-being is important to me and to our team.”
• “Thank you for your hard work. Remember to take time for yourself and recharge when you need it.”

The Bottom Line

A healthy team is a successful and productive team, but communication is vital to ensuring your teams stay healthy.

Do you feel like your communication skills as a leader could use an upgrade? Sign up for our “Mastering Strategic Communication for Organizational Impact” event on Dec. 11 to discover how to leverage communication as a strategic advantage in driving organizational performance.