Why workplace wellness should be part of everyone’s leadership strategy

I am the product of a broken home. I left at 16 years old to live with my boyfriend, working part-time to pay the rent. It was landing my job as a legal trainee that changed my life and helped me fall in love with property law and conveyancing. That doesn’t mean things came easy, though.

I became a single mother of two and started my first business from my kitchen bench. Now, I’ve built multiple successful businesses in property conveyancing and buyer advocacy, and I’ve learned over the years how important workplace wellness is to growing teams. It must be something we all incorporate into the culture of our businesses, and it’s up to us as leaders to practise what we preach.

Workplace wellness became a big focus during the pandemic. Suddenly, those in leadership positions realised that people have lives and families outside the office and that most jobs can be done (and sometimes done more efficiently) from home.

Some things, however, will never change back, and nor should they.

Now, more than ever, hybrid working arrangements and work from home are being supported by businesses and leadership teams, which is fantastic. However, this can lead to isolation and exclusion if not managed correctly. So, how can they be managed correctly? By ensuring the relevant check-ins, zoom calls and one-to-one meetings are run and upheld with staff whilst at home.

Team activities and group exercises and events have been highlighted as a must-have for team morale. But how can you do this if your workplace is hybrid? With the face-to-face world still not yet at 100 per cent, there are ways to interact online, and in smaller groups consistently — you just have to figure out what works best for your company and your staff.

While health and wellbeing has always been a focus point, especially for the larger property firms, there are ways we can emphasise the idea of self-care even more. For example, instead of buying someone flowers for an anniversary or “job well done”, get them a massage, or spa treatment, gift them an afternoon off or send them out for dinner. Gifting an experience or memorable moment that they wouldn’t normally do for themselves will leave a lasting impression, and it helps them prioritise their mental and emotional health by taking time away from the job.

Another valuable implementation is making sure your staff are given your undivided time. I arrange one-to-one calls with each team member, at the same time every week, just to chat. Importantly, we talk about anything and everything except work. We talk about their weekend, their hobbies, their family, anything they would like to share, all the while remembering that this is NOT a work call. It is a “how are you doing” call. Some may see this as a “waste of time” or say that the relationship between boss and employee is being blurred. However, I see the opposite. The greatest gift we can give anyone is our time, and this includes our undivided and present attention. We are all human, after all, and we should all be treated equally. In this moment, we are two people discussing life. No more, no less.

As business owners, we can forget that the role of “boss” also means we have a duty of care and level of care for our employees. Traditionally that duty of care means paying their salary and giving them a safe working environment. But times have changed. This now means that we must connect with them, understand them, support them and encourage them. They are not workhorse robots. They are people seeking to be happy, people who are seeking to make a difference in the world, people who are providing for their families, and who are changing and evolving.

What about the hard conversations, I hear you ask. There may be times when the “boss hat” needs to be put on. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. By giving each employee 15 minutes of your undivided time each week, you’ll soon see a difference in their dedication to work and to the company, the respect towards you and what you do, and an appreciation and understanding of their colleagues.

When I’m finished with my phone call with my staff, I always ask whether there is anything they need from me. It’s a simple yet powerful question, and it is “workplace wellness” to its core. Our companies can’t run without the team around us. We are building the next generation; it is our responsibility to do it mindfully, with care, and holistically.

There is an adage that says treat others how you would like to be treated. The same goes in a workplace environment. Show an interest in your employees — in their lives, their families and their health — don’t just emphasise what they are doing at work during their working hours. You’ll find that if you treat everyone with respect, show them how to prioritise their physical, emotional and mental health — and that you place an importance on health and wellness — they’ll work even harder to ensure you and your company do well. Most important for us as leadership teams, it means we know our staff are cared for, happy and content.

Kiani Mills is the founder of Imperiale Conveyancing and co-founder of Edwards Mills.