We are delighted that Lola will be speaking in Toronto this October as part of our Wellbeing at Work Summit Canada.
We caught up with her to find out how she’s feeling in the run up to the summit.
Hi Lola, we are thrilled you will be speaking at our Wellbeing at Work Summit Canada in October. Our first and most important question is, how are you doing today?
I am good thanks for asking, hope you are the same😊
As a leader based in the region, what are the main challenges you are facing when it comes to employee wellbeing?
With employee wellbeing, one size does not fit all! In my opinion, a tailored approach to wellbeing is needed to cater to diverse needs and if leaders are to authentically commit to wellbeing, it must be with the understanding that we first need to ask our people what their needs are. Secondly, initiatives or strategies may need to be bespoke/tailored to need and thirdly, what works today, may not be fit for purpose tomorrow, therefore solutions are fluid. Therefore, the biggest challenge for me when it comes to employee wellbeing is being ahead of the curve in listening to needs and providing solutions whilst ensuring that initiatives remain evergreen. Sometimes it feels like an ever-evolving situation of creating and sustaining a state of positive wellbeing!
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?
Peter Drucker’s famous saying ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast’ couldn’t hold truer in my view. Not to belittle the importance or place of strategy, the biggest driver I have seen personally that has helped move the dial on wellbeing is creating and sustaining a culture that allows a continuous state of positive wellbeing to thrive. Without the right culture any strategies, processes or policies are unlikely to stand the test of time. It is culture that also enables the co-design of wellbeing strategies and initiatives and ensures that the right mechanisms are and remain in place for continued success.
Why is employee wellbeing so important to you personally?
Employee wellbeing is everything! I think focusing on the bottom line and productively is myopic, rather a better and broader view is about creating and sustaining a work environment where employees can be, and remain healthy mentally, psychologically, socially and emotionally; and in essence be the best version of themselves. This is important in all settings even more so in a field like healthcare where I work, our caregivers cannot effectively give care, if their own cups are empty. In my mind, wellbeing is like a fountain of living waters that keep our hearts and minds refreshed, rejuvenated and invigorated especially with the day-to-day challenges that life throws our way.
What are you most looking forward to about the Summit in October?
The thing I am looking forward to the most is learning. Learning from others about their approach to wellbeing for their organisations, what is working well and less well and in so doing, making new professional connections. I am also looking forward to sharing the things that have worked in my organisation and finally, I am looking forward to being energized about wellbeing for myself and my organization.
Tell us, what is your vision for the future workplace, in terms of engagement, health and wellbeing?
My vision for the future of the workplace in terms of engagement, health and wellbeing is that everyone who steps into their place of work, can feel like they are doing so bringing their true and most authentic self without fear of judgement, reprisal or repercussion. This means that if I am not feeling 100% on a day, I can go into work and feel psychologically safe enough to share that I am not feeling my best and others around me can uphold me that day knowing that another day, it may be my colleague feeling less than their best and I can help fill their cup when needed.
What areas do you think employers should be focused on over the next 12 months?
I think employers should be focused on wellbeing, engagement, recognition and any strategic initiatives that promote and sustain joy at work!
How has your organization been leading the way?
My organisation takes recognition and engagement seriously, we live and breathe our shared purpose of ‘people first’ through our values of Integrity, Quality, Respect, Teamwork and Compassion. We take care with matters of belonging, diversity and inclusion because we know that a strong correlation exists between an inclusive culture where all people can feel a sense of belonging and engagement. We have committees that promote wellness engagement, and we encourage our leaders to role model recognition and empower their people to do the same. Our ‘check up from the neck up’ strategy is focused on providing support to our people as needed and while all these initiatives are in flight, we still humbly recognise, that this is a journey and not destination and with this top of mind, we continue to lead the way by listening and continuing to listen until there is understanding.
Lola will be speaking in Toronto at the Wellbeing at Work Summit Canada which takes place live and in-person in Toronto and Calgary with an additional day of virtual sessions too. Further details on the Summit can be found here.
