Well-Being & Onboarding 101
When onboarding new leaders, understanding their unique well-being needs sets the tone for a strong start. In my experience working with organizations through leadership transitions, the sheer volume of unresolved problems, team dynamics, uncertainty, and norms that a leader must absorb quickly can be daunting. As a result, leaders may begin their roles overwhelmed, which means stress is higher than ever. Our society focuses on the mantra, "Hit the ground running," but is that the best approach?
When organizations equip leaders with well-being skills during onboarding, they are more likely to immerse these practices throughout their teams, exhibit greater empathy, and cultivate an environment that attracts and retains top talent.
The Importance of Onboarding Leaders with Well-Being Skills
The initial phase of a leader's start is critical. Research tells the story:
🎯 Research indicates that 86% of new hires decide whether to stay with a company within the first six months
🎯 Effective onboarding processes can boost new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%
🎯 85% of leaders reported increased team member engagement after undergoing training focused on well-being
For leaders, the onboarding period is about acclimating to their roles and setting the tone for their teams. Leaders who receive comprehensive onboarding that emphasizes well-being can foster more team engagement and productivity.
Key Areas of Well-Being for Leadership Success
Focusing on specific dimensions of well-being can significantly enhance a leader's effectiveness. Below are three dimension examples:
- Emotional Well-Being: Leaders who manage their emotions can handle life's demands more effectively and make better decisions. This emotional intelligence enables leaders to support their teams better, resulting in higher levels of trust and reduced burnout.
- Social Well-Being: Leaders who engage positively with their teams create a sense of belonging and inclusion, enhancing team cohesion, performance, and workplace connections.
- Environmental Well-Being: Leaders who prioritize a healthy work environment can reduce stressors and promote well-being among team members. Examples include physical or virtual spaces or encouraging different places to foster creativity.
Reimagining Work and Well-Being Through Leader Onboarding
Investing in the well-being of leaders during their onboarding is not just a package of wellness benefits; it's about strategy and intention. Organizations prioritizing leadership well-being make the "I care about you" statement early, resulting in higher-performing teams and a better workplace culture.
Research supports this priority, too. A Forbes study showed that organizations prioritizing well-being could significantly impact their employees' mental health. In this same study, data suggests that for almost 70% of people, their manager has more impact on their mental health than their therapist or doctor.
How We Can Help
Integrating well-being strategies into leadership onboarding is imperative to cultivating a thriving organizational culture. Fitwell Solutions helps organizations across various sectors—including tech start-ups, healthcare, higher education, and non-profits—embed comprehensive well-being approaches into their onboarding processes.
Partner with Fitwell Solutions to ensure your leaders have what they need to foster a culture of well-being, drive engagement, and retain top talent.
