Why Sharing Your Own Mental Health Story Can Help You Become a Better Ally in Leadership and How Peer Networking Can Help
As we move through our daily lives, we have countless interactions with various individuals. Some of these individuals we may not know well, while others are our close friends, family members, or colleagues. While these interactions can be positive and uplifting, they can also be stressful and challenging, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics such as mental health.
Mental health is a topic that's often considered "taboo" in the workplace. It's not something that we talk about openly, but mental health affects everyone, including leaders. In fact, if you're a leader, it's essential to understand that mental health challenges can impact your team just as much as it impacts you. At times, we may feel that it is best to keep our mental health struggles private, fearing that it may harm our careers or relationships. However, this approach can ultimately do more harm than good. When we share our stories, we normalize mental health struggles, reducing the stigma attached to them.
Additionally, it can instill trust and confidence in others so that they can confide in you even if they are not business-related, and it can help leaders gain respect and build powerful relationships with their colleagues. By normalizing the open discussion of mental health, we can create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture that prioritizes employees' overall well-being.
Creating a safe space for mental health discussion in the workplace can be beneficial, as mental health struggles can impact anyone irrespective of gender, background, or demographic. Leaders sharing their experiences of overcoming mental health struggles can inspire others to seek support and offer insights into coping strategies.
In this blog post, we'll explore why leaders should share their own mental health story and how peer networking can help to equip you to take action.
Break the Stigma: Leaders are not immune to mental health struggles. Sharing your own mental health stories serves as a catalyst for other team members to start a conversation about their own experiences. Creating an environment where mental health challenges are openly discussed can help normalize these experiences and allow others to feel comfortable asking for help when needed. Furthermore, leaders sharing their stories of overcoming mental health struggles can help them relate better to their colleagues, ultimately making them better leaders. Research has shown that organizations that prioritize mental wellness and have leaders who create a safe space for open mental health discussions have higher productivity, lower absenteeism, and staff turnover rates.
Develop Empathy and Connection: Sharing your mental health story can lead to greater empathy for others. It creates connection and allows others to see that they're not alone in their struggles. When leaders share their mental health stories, it humanizes them and shows that they, too, are vulnerable. This vulnerability helps to cultivate a culture of understanding and openness.
Peer Networking Can Help: Sometimes, starting a conversation in your workplace can be challenging. In such cases, peer networking outside the workplace can act as a great platform to learn how to start and manage these conversations. It can be through coffee chats, industry-related events, online forums, business meetups, or industry-specific retreats. Attending these events can help you meet people who are in similar positions as you and share their experiences about how they broke the stigma around mental health in their organizations.
Action Steps: If you're a leader and you're ready to take action, start by sharing your own mental health stories with someone you trust. Make sure also to show empathy and understanding when someone else is sharing their story with you. By creating an open and safe environment, you can break the stigma around mental health and help your team on their own journey towards better well-being.
In conclusion, sharing your own mental health story can help you become a better ally for your team. Your leadership style will grow, and you will become more empathetic by opening up and connecting with others. Peer networking can help you get started and learn about how others have approached mental health in the workplace. It can be an excellent opportunity to learn from others and share your own experiences. Remember, breaking the stigma around mental health requires action. By taking small steps to cultivate a culture of understanding, you can positively impact the lives of your team members.
And if you'd like to join one of our peer groups, don't hesitate to get in touch with us right away. We would love to welcome you into our community.
