We are delighted to announce that Sue Langley, CEO, Langley Group will be speaking in New York this March as part of our Wellbeing at Work Summit US.
We caught up with her to find out how she’s feeling in the run up to the summit.
Hi Sue, we are thrilled you will be speaking at our Wellbeing at Work US Summit in March. Our first and most important question is, how are you doing today?
Good, thank you!
As a leader based in the region, what are the main challenges you are facing when it comes to employee wellbeing?
I am based in Australia, so that comes with some pretty cool positives.
Overall I don’t see employee wellbeing as a challenge. It just is. Wellbeing is something that is relevant to everyone. Being able to manage our emotions, have tools in our toolkit to handle what life throws at us, finding ways to flourish. This may look different for different people, yet it is something that is essential in life. Where the challenge lies in the workplace setting is often that we don’t know what to do, potentially because we don’t know enough about wellbeing. We learn about engineering to become an engineer, we learn about medicine to become a doctor, yet we don’t learn about wellbeing, then we wonder why people struggle to flourish.
What strategies have you seen developing over the past 6 months, both internally and externally, that is moving the dial on wellbeing in the workplace?
Education about wellbeing. Understanding that it is wide and broad and nuanced. We have more research, we have more understanding and that is broadening what organisations are doing in the area of wellbeing. Also, understanding that what works for one person doesn’t engage another. I hope this continues.
Why is employee wellbeing so important to you personally?
See answer to point 2! – Wellbeing isn’t about being happy. Wellbeing is about having more tools in your toolkit than the adversity coming at you. We need to value the challenges, the difficult emotions and the research can support us in ways to embrace and learn from adversity. This is all part of wellbeing. And so important because life will be filled with adversity if you are choosing to engage with the world. We need the tools to handle it.
What are you most looking forward to about the Summit in March?
It will be lovely to be back in New York again. I love hearing new stories and new research and practice. And most importantly I love engaging with and inspiring people to think differently and broader about wellbeing.
Tell us, what is your vision for the future workplace, in terms of engagement, health and wellbeing?
The Future is Human® – when we recognise that the wellbeing science can provide a foundation for creating the world we want to live in and we start thinking bigger about changing systems. We created them, we can change them.
What areas do you think employers should be focused on over the next 12 months?
That will be different for each organisation and not something I choose to suggest. For me, I believe wellbeing and emotions underpin so much of what we do that it is essential to focus on this area, yet organisations still need to be profitable to ensure people have valuable and meaningful work.
I would like to see employers focus more on really learning about wellbeing and the bigger themes that drive flourishing, as opposed to quick fixes that don’t really fix. When we educate ourselves about wellbeing, we know that wellbeing increases.
How has your organisation been leading the way?
We have been leading the way for the last 20 years. We were the first global organisation to integrate the science of emotions, positive psychology and neuroscience and create leadership programmes that really focused on the human side underpinned by science. We created the world’s first government-accredited Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing focused on the practical application of science. We explore systemic elements of wellbeing from genetics, microbiome research and environment to share knowledge and facilitate learning. Our purpose is to inspire and equip individuals, teams and organisations to be the best they can be. We create positive ripples around the world to create a better world.
Sue will be speaking in New York at the Wellbeing at Work Summit US which takes place both live and in-person in New York and Silicon Valley, and virtually for the wider region. Further details on the Summit can be found here.
