Dalia Feldheim is the international best-selling author of Dare to lead like a Girl. She will be providing an incredible and thought-provoking keynote address at our Wellbeing at Work UK Summit on 20-22 September and we wanted to get her thoughts on all things wellbeing at work before she takes the stage in London.
We are thrilled that you will be speaking at our Wellbeing at Work UK Summit in September. Our first and most important question is, how are you doing today?
Now on a diving safari in Sinai Egypt so today I am 10/10:)
As a leader based in the region, what are the main challenges your you are facing when it comes to employee wellbeing?
Office bullying is still to prevalent and not enough resources are directed towards employee wellbeing and happiness at work.
What strategies have you seen developing in the UK over the past 6-12 months post pandemic to address health and wellbeing in the workplace?
I’m a huge believer in flexible work arrangements – I worked from home one day a week for most of my career from 2002 to 2018 and it was one of my most effective well-being strategies. Employers should deploy smart remote working and employees need to know they are given a huge privilege not to be taken for granted.
Why is employee wellbeing so important to you personally?
I suffered work place bullying and have experienced first hand what it means to work for a company that puts people first (like P&G) and what happens when one manager does not. My performance went from 200% to 10% as I spent so much energy defending and protecting myself. A huge waste of human potential which encouraged me to pivot my career and dedicate my second career as an organisational psychologist working with individuals and organisations on how to find purpose and joy at work. I help HR managers eradicate assholes as the first well-being at work strategy and use the latest and greatest tools like Uppinessgame- our hybrid game developed with Dr Tal ben Shahar to help employees solve their daily challenges using tools from the world of positive psychology boosting engagement and wellbeing.
What are you most looking forward to about the Summit in September?
Learning and sharing the latest and greatest tools on helping. Employees find purpose and joy at work.
Tell us, what is your vision for the workplace of the future, in terms of employee engagement, health and wellbeing?
All metrics of performance increase when we are in a positive state.
I hope for all leaders to embrace my 5P model of wellness-
1. focus on Purpose- help employees find their strengths and bring them to work every single day,
2. develop Persepctibe and mental resilience finding win win and embracing failure,
3. helping employees Power up their physical wellness- including mindfulness, nutrition sleep and movement to realise their full mind body power
4. People- fully embrace tough love feedback, and treat all employees as whole human being vs productivity machines.
5. Positivity- become emotionally brave- embracing all emotions at work, focusing on gratitude, hope and kindness.
What areas do you think employers should be focused on over the next 12-18 months?
Personal leadership embracing the above which will enable them to create kinder workplace environments
How has your organisation been leading the way?
Flow leadership consultancy works with the top companies (like Microsoft, Google, P&G and others) on holistic tear long leadership development programs helping managers aspiring to become leaders.
My second company Uppiness- together with my partners Tal Ben Shahar and Oren Appel developed a first in the world online/Hybrid game that helps employees solve their daily challenges using tools from the world of positive psychology becoming true inspirational leaders. The reaction to these programs have been phenomenal and give me hope as we have learnt you can teach yourself to be happier and more resilience and change archaic leadership paradigms as true courageous leaders lead from their heart
Join us at the Wellbeing at Work UK Summit between 20-22 September 2022 in London, Manchester and virtually and hear from Dalia and over 60 expert speakers from across the world. Further details here.
