fbpx

The Necessity of a Whole-Person Approach for Employee Well-Being in Modern Organizations

Reading Time: 4 minutes


The corporate landscape has evolved drastically in recent years, marked by a growing emphasis on the holistic well-being of employees. Despite the increase of wellness programs, the success of employee happiness remains a critical concern for many organizations. According to a study by Gallup, only 20% of employees strongly believe their company supports their well-being. 

Traditionally, well-being programs have primarily focused on physical health. However, a more comprehensive approach is needed to address the myriad challenges employees face today. A whole-person, holistic approach that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of employee well-being, is essential for fostering a resilient and thriving workforce. 

Why a Whole-Person Approach Is Essential

Mental and Emotional Health Impact Productivity

Mental and emotional health significantly impact an employee’s productivity and overall performance. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression and anxiety cost the global economy $1 trillion per year in lost productivity. By addressing mental and emotional health, organizations can improve productivity and reduce costs associated with absenteeism and presenteeism. 

Employee Well-Being Drives Retention 

Employee well-being is directly linked to higher retention rates. A Harvard Business Review study found that employees who feel their well-being is supported are 2.6 times more likely to report high levels of job performance and 1.7 times more likely to recommend their employer to others.

Physical Health Impact on Organizational Costs

Poor physical health contributes to increased healthcare costs for organizations. These costs include direct expenses, such as higher premiums for health insurance, and indirect expenses, such as the aforementioned absenteeism. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health-related productivity losses cost U.S. employers $225.8 billion annually

Developmental Support for Future Leaders

According to a study by Deloitte, 86% of leaders believe leadership development is a critical issue for their organization. However, only 14% of companies believe they excel in providing leadership programs at all levels.

Activate 180 offers a comprehensive solution to address employee wellness from a whole-person perspective, addressing the above gaps by offering personalized coaching sessions tailored to individual employees’ needs and the overall goals of the company. 

Our approach includes: 

  • Customized coaching: Personalized coaching sessions addressing each employee’s unique needs and goals, while keeping the overall company goals in mind. 
  • Experiential team workshops: Designed to promote team cohesion and a positive workplace culture through topics such as communication, conflict resolution, and team building, fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. . 
  • Monthly culture audits: Feedback-based culture audits derived from coaching sessions and team workshops, identifying threats and opportunities to the company while providing consultative solutions for those opportunities. 
  • Support at all levels: Activate 180 offers coaching tracks based on the different phases of an employee’s career – individual contributer, people leader, and executive – ensuring that every employee is supported where they are at and provided with toolsfor career development and growth. 

The Benefits of a Whole-Person Approach to Employee Well-Being 

Enhanced Employee Engagement 

Engaged employees are more productive and committed to their organization. Activate 180’s approach fosters engagement by addressing individual employee needs and providing them with the necessary tools and resources to thrive.

Improved Mental Health 

Mental health significantly affects an employee’s ability to perform effectively. A WHO report found that for every $1 invested in treatment for common mental disorders, there is a return of $4 in improved health and productivity. Activate 180 coaches are not mental health providers, however, they are a strategic partner in your employees life and career. When employee’s know they have someone on their side, it inevitably positively affects their overall fulfillment and happiness.

Reduced Absenteeism 

Activate 180 coaches work with employees to identify root causes of absenteeism and then provide tools and act as an accountability partner to help resolve these issues. In addition, the monthly culture calls provide insight to the leadership team on themes that could be affecting absenteeism throughout the company. Granting the opportunity to make change at a company-level to support employee well-being. 

Fostering a Positive Workplace Culture

A positive workplace culture is essential for attracting and retaining top talent. A study by Glassdoor found that 56% of employees consider a good workplace culture to be more important than salary.

Activate 180’s whole-person approach fosters a positive workplace culture by encouraging open communication, teamwork, and a supportive work environment. The monthly workshops focus on skill learning as a team, including frameworks on empathy, having difficult conversations, providing feedback, and more. By learning these tools together, the entire employee base becomes aligned on how to work together. Employees continue to deepen their development of these skills through their on-going coaching sessions, ensuring continuous application and driving a positive culture for the company.

Supporting Career Growth

Career growth is a key driver of employee satisfaction and retention. A LinkedIn survey found that 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career development. Activate 180’s individual performance coaching sessions provide employees with a personalized strategic partner within their coach. The coach works with employees on a personalized level, ensuring their goals align with the overall company goals, driving career growth and advancement. 

Development Support for Future Leaders

Leadership development is a critical component of organizational success. Effective leaders inspire and motivate their teams, drive organizational performance, and cultivate a positive workplace culture—a vital aspect of employee well-being. 

However, many organizations struggle to develop effective leaders. A survey by Brandon Hall Group found that only 13% of organizations rated their leadership development programs as very effective. 

Activate 180 addresses this gap by providing targeted development support for future leaders, including: 

  • Personalized leadership development plans: Collaborative development plans tailored to each future leader’s unique needs and goals, incorporating coaching sessions, experiential learning activities, and self-directed learning. 
  • Skill development: Focusing on cultivating essential leadership skills, including communication, decision-making, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence. 
  • Feedback and reflection: Regular feedback and self-reflection to facilitate continuous growth and development. 

Focus on Employee Well-Being to Drive Results

In a rapidly evolving business landscape, a comprehensive approach to employee well-being has never been more crucial. Activate 180’s whole-person approach to performance coaching provides a holistic solution that addresses all aspects of an individual’s well-being, from physical health to career growth and leadership development. By investing in employees’ well-being, organizations can unlock their full potential and drive sustainable success. 

Discover how Activate 180 can help your organization create a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce. Schedule a free demo today to learn more about our services. 

Tyler Peitzmeier

Tyler serves as the Director of Partnerships at Activate 180, where he leads the company’s sales initiatives. Tyler supports businesses in achieving their objectives for enhanced performance, profitability, and overall fulfillment for their people through innovative and affordable one-on-one coaching for every employee.

LOOKING FOR MORE?

Search through our resources and articles here.

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to receive insights directly to your inbox.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

follow us on social

business-meating

get activated

Work with Activate 180 high-performance coaching to elevate employee performance, productivity, and fulfillment.