In many organizations regularly working overtime is still a badge of honor.
I have a number of close friends who have been high achievers in academia, brought millions of dollars into their institutions, and who have been harshly mistreated by certain “higher ups”.
I have also experienced colleagues who have been undervalued and made to feel they are in jeopardy of losing their positions because they have proposed a creative solution in an organizational culture where maintaining the status quo is the norm.
Increasing numbers of high performing younger and younger women (e.g. in their late twenties and early thirties) are coming into my life having been diagnosed with breast cancer, mono, and/or on stress leave and antidepressants. Burnout and adrenal fatigue continue to be rampant and yet are often “kept under the covers”.
Since I launched my coaching business in 2009, I’ve coached a number of high achieving women and provided them with tools and support to change their lives from constantly driving and striving to healthier, happier, more balanced lives. I’ve recently realized that this is not enough. It is one thing to provide a person with tools and support, but if they return to a work environment that does not enable them to put those tools and strategies into action, it is rather like sending someone on a training and having them return to a workplace that doesn’t enable them to apply the new skills they’ve learned. It is frustrating, unsatisfying and doesn’t address all of the issues.
I realize that it is only part of the solution to provide high performing women and men with tools and the vision of a healthier, happier life. The other part of the equation is to change our organizations so they are healthier.
I would like to start a conversation on this. What is a healthy organization? Is it possible to create healthy, successful organizations?
To start “the ball rolling”, here are a few characteristics of what I believe constitute a healthy organization. A healthy organization:
- Treats their staff and management with respect
- Is clear on their values and “walks their talk”
- Values creativity and innovation and creates space to enable this to happen
- Values and fosters collaboration within the organization and with outside partners
- Is lead by balanced and mindful leaders ( See –https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/balanced-mindful-leadership-time-new-type-leader-pamela-thompson/ )
- Recognizes that many of today’s issues are complex and require multiple disciplines and ways of thinking to address them
- Embraces change and supports its staff and management to better understand and embrace the change process
- Provides a physical environment that supports well-being; for example, a meditation room or garden, indoor plants, on-site gym, yoga and childcare
- Makes a healthy profit
- Gives back to the community
These are a few of my thoughts. I welcome yours in the comment box below.
I totally agree with you Pamela.
We need to balance the equation to see results.
Healthy organisations are possible and for this to happen we need leaders who are willing to see beyond the norm and status quo.
Thanks Leila for sharing your thoughts and contributing to the conversation. I, too believe that evolved leaders are at the heart of the solution.
I agree with your characteristics of a healthy organization, Pamela. I would also add the existence of a strong HR Department and policies for harassment and protocols to be followed when a complaint is lodged.
Harassment of course doesn’t just mean for women employees but also includes men (I worked for a healthy organization many years ago and respected them for actually walking the talk of their Vision and Mission Statements).
Hi Vatsala, I appreciate your comments and the suggestions you’ve recommended. It’s great to know you’ve experienced healthy organizations who “walked their talk”.
Healthy, sustainable businesses are the wave of the future.
Thanks Barb for your input. Let’s hope that they are 🙂
I appreciate you, Pamela. When I first started reading this article, I was taken back to the years when I volunteered for an organization that expected me to work more hours per week for them then the paying job that financially supported me and my two sons. When I left, one of the board members would tell me for almost a year, “You’re nothing but a quitter,” each time I saw him.
I (like most everyone) have worked for managers/employers who threatened and berated their staff with the belief that they were motivating versus demanding. On the flip side of the coin, I have worked for the employee who treasures their staff and extends great respect and appreciation to their staff.
This is a great topic to discuss and ponder. And, I like your list of characteristics of a healthy organization. Thank you. This article was a great reminder of how fortunate I am.
Hi Cindy, Thanks so much for sharing your personal experience. I appreciate your input and feedback. Warmly, Pam
OH, boy. You caught me on the wrong day for this. Favorite Husband has forgotten his own experience and is headed back to volunteer for one of the most dysfunctional organizations I have ever known. (And I did start-ups and turn-arounds for YEARS.)
And while ninja-level self-care (up to and including leaving) is important in a toxic environment, you are to be applauded for your efforts to fix the right problem!
Hi, Thanks for sharing your thoughts and agreement with the need for more than self-care. Do you have any thoughts on how to “fix” toxic environments?
Great article which raises many valid points. As a healer myself, it is interested to observe the way in which the body shows symptoms of dis-ease as to our life-styles. I personally left the corporate world fully over 10 years ago now because I found my value system quite unique. I believe anything is possible, however, the link between ‘within’ and ‘without’ is still something most don’t think of. It’s only business has to become it’s all business. Yours and mine. Change takes time however and we are all growing and making progress.
Hi Trilby, Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience related to organizations and their health. It is so true that change starts from within each of us. If we have our own business it may be easier to create a healthy organization. That said, if we work for someone else we still do have the opportunity to influence others by our thoughts, words and actions. Here’s to Healthy organizations!