Inner well-being is not wishy-washy stuff.

Inner well-being is not wishy-washy stuff. It is a superpower with the potential to transform our workplaces and societies into thriving communities where people flourish together

As we emerge from COVID times, it becomes clear that the idea of normality from a world before the pandemic is not something we should long for.

We were already facing an urgent mental health crisis, and now organizations are dealing with increasingly elevated levels of stress and burnout. The pandemic did not create that but heightened it and made it more evident.

Moreover, the future is no less ambiguous and uncertain than it was on the first days of the health emergency. Economic factors and social polarization add to personal and collective feelings of threat and isolation. The more dangerous epidemic is a cocktail of loneliness, burnout, and loss of meaning. It is older and more persistent than the COVID health crisis. 

In addition to those external circumstances, toxic workplaces, demographic realities, and a change in the younger generation’s priorities are driving massive numbers of people to leave their jobs and adding unprecedented pressure to the labour market. Below you can see some evidence to support this:

• A toxic workplace culture is ten times more important than compensation in employee attrition.
• 76% of employees state they experience burnout at least sometimes. Employees who frequently experience burnout are 2.6 times more likely to be actively seeking a new job. Read ~ “Employee Burnout: The Biggest Myth” by Ben Wigert for more information.
• The pandemic negatively affected mental health and substance abuse. Some of the most affected are young adults, parents with young children, communities of colour and essential workers.
• People were burned out before the pandemic, but COVID-19 exacerbated these feelings.

There is a pressing need to tackle this emotional and mental health decline. It is not just a problem for businesses and organizations but a priority for social cohesion and public health.

The challenges may seem unsurpassable. But instead of drowning in cynicism and hopelessness, visionary people in businesses, organizations, and communities that seize the dynamics of this moment as an opportunity will benefit enormously by adopting a purpose-driven and human-centric view to transform workplace culture fundamentally.

As a result, they will become agents of change, leading the way and ahead of those unable to recognize the opportunity within this moment and creating not only significant financial value but social value and a lasting impact on public health and social well-being:

• Employees expect their jobs to bring a significant sense of purpose to their lives. Purpose helps create a strong culture through shared identity. Read the article “Help your employees find purpose—or watch them leave.”
• The current generational shift in the workforce requires an inclusive culture and psychologically safe spaces where people foster a sense of belonging, value their differences, and learn and grow together.
• Employee Engagement is a strong driver for performance and retention. Emotional engagement is four times more valuable in driving employee effort.
• Companies that prioritize collaboration are five times more likely to experience a considerable increase in employment, twice as likely to be profitable, and twice as likely to outgrow competitors.
• Deconstructing biases and assumptions generate opportunities for creativity. Instead of a source of stress and anxiety, ambiguity can trigger unparalleled breakthroughs.
• Diverse teams perform better and are more innovative than non-diverse teams. For every 10% increase in racial and ethnic diversity on the senior executive team, earnings before interest and taxes rise 0.8%. Read ~ “Why Diversity Matters”

At InterWoven- Human Potential, we are firm believers that the only way to make that change a systemic and sustainable one is by cultivating well-being from the inside out. 

Inner well-being is much more than just feeling well. It is the ground from which resilience and forbearance stem. A fertile land that empowers us to face external and internal challenges with resolve, adaptability, creativity, and joy. It sparks a chain reaction that transforms how we perceive our reality and creates the space from which we can deploy our actions towards the people around us and the world that holds us as an unstoppable force for good. 

And best of all, it is not a static “thing” but a set of skills that can be learned and cultivated over time.

Our purpose is to be a catalyst for that change through inner well-being. We design and implement mental training programs based on the forefront of scientific research on mindfulness, emotional intelligence, leadership skills, and human flourishing. Our programs help people, organizations, and communities foster a culture of personal and social well-being, inclusion, universal ethics, and a sense of community.

A fundamental component of our approach is working with like-minded people and organizations committed to human-centric values. We are excited to partner with the Okanagan coLab, an organization with more than eleven years of creating cohesion and championing community, to present an introductory workshop to our ABCD framework for well-being.

It is a three-session workshop. Each session is 2.5 hours once a week starting on January 17th. You can find all the information about the workshop here: ABCD of Well-Being

We are looking forward to seeing you there. It may be the start of a journey of true self-discovery and inner well-being; the most meaningful and consequential journey of them all!