This episode explores the importance of well-being and care for employees in various industries. Drawing from interviews with Ariana Huffington and Simon Sinek, Michael highlights the detrimental effects of neglecting the mental health and well-being of workers. The episode emphasises the need for companies to prioritise the care and empowerment of their employees, as it directly impacts productivity and the quality of service provided to clients. Michael also discusses the alarming statistics of preventable deaths in hospitals due to a focus on numbers rather than the well-being of healthcare workers. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Mental health and well-being are crucial for productivity: Ariana Huffington highlights that when employees are exhausted and burnt out, their performance suffers, leading to decreased productivity and a lack of empathy towards customers.
• Well-being is about empowerment, not just cuddling: Huffington explains that well-being is not simply about providing comfort to employees, but rather empowering them with the tools and support they need to be their best selves.
• The importance of caring for employees: Simon Sinek highlights the need for companies to care about their employees as human beings, to make them feel seen, heard, understood, and valued. This sense of care and belonging contributes to a positive work culture and personal identity within the organisation.
• Neglecting employee well-being has consequences: There are many negative impacts of neglecting employee well-being, such as preventable deaths in hospitals due to small mistakes caused by a lack of care and attention to the workforce. This neglect also leads to disillusionment, burnout, and health problems among employees.
• The need for a shift in mindset: Sinek argues that businesses should adopt a mindset focused on long-term sustainability and the well-being of employees. Operating with a finite mindset, solely driven by numbers and productivity, is not sustainable and can lead to negative outcomes for both employees and the organisation.

BEST MOMENTS

"Mental health and well-being are central to productivity. When I'm exhausted and burnt out, I'm the worst version of myself." 

"We need to define well-being correctly. Well-being is not about cuddling an employee. It means empowering them, helping them with tools that they need to be the best version of themselves." 

"There has to be this general feeling that the company cares about me as a human being, that I'm seen, that I'm heard, that I'm understood, that I believe in the vision and that I want to advance the culture."

"Hospitals are run like businesses, they are run based on focusing on the numbers. This means that although they are caring for large numbers of people and are highly skilled, they work in a culture that does not care for those who are doing this vital work." 

"The total lack of care offered by employers would be reasonable only if their workforce was composed entirely of artificial intelligence. Human beings though need to be cared for, listened to, valued and respected." 

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Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court’, and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court’, provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.