We are delighted that Shanyn will be speaking in Melbourne this November as part of our Wellbeing at Work Summit Australia. We caught up with her to find out how she’s feeling in the run up to the summit.
Hi Shanyn, we are thrilled you will be speaking at our Wellbeing at Work Summit Australia in November. Our first and most important question is, how are you doing today?
I am feeling refreshed and energised – I was able to get out into the ocean for a freedive on the weekend, which always resets me.
As a leader based in the region, what are the main challenges you are facing when it comes to employee wellbeing?
I think people are still recovering from the lockdowns in Melbourne; there is definitely more social anxiety, and difficulty re-adjusting to juggling everything again. There have been productivity drops across the state, which some businesses are trying to solve with increased return to the office mandates… which I do not think is the answer, but we are feeling the pressure from this and it is something that is being talked about. Again.
What strategies have you seen developing over the past 6 months, both internally and externally, that are moving the dial on wellbeing in the workplace?
A real focus on genuinely creating a speak up culture, and equipping leaders with the right tools to be able to respond to this. I have also seen a re-focus on the “basics” like providing people with role clarity, as opposed to running lunchtime yoga classes.
Why is employee wellbeing so important to you personally?
As someone who has experienced burnout, and knowing how it can creep up on you without realising, I am so passionate about doing my best to make sure I have the right boundaries in place for myself, and the people in our business. I know firsthand, and also from research, that this also creates higher performance.
What are you most looking forward to about the Summit in November?
Learning from others!
Tell us, what is your vision for the future workplace, in terms of engagement, health and wellbeing?
I’d love us to establish a measurable link between wellbeing and performance, so that we can continue to build on the good work we have started. Unfortunately I still think that some Boards and senior executives don’t see the real ROI that investing in wellbeing brings.
What areas do you think employers should be focused on over the next 12 months?
Getting back to basics – providing people with role clarity, and plenty of avenues where they can speak up and be heard.
How has your organisation been leading the way?
We recently created and rollout out a psychological safety program, which all of our employees attended. It was focused on giving people the tools and to create a speak up culture… it might seem simple, but it was a brave program to run, that has really shifted the dial on how issues are raised before they become more serious.
Shanyn will be speaking in Melbourne at the Wellbeing at Work Summit Australia which takes place live and in-person in Sydney and Melbourne. Further details on the Summit can be found here.
