Revolutionaries of Wellbeing: Breaking Burnout Culture

Episode 24: How to build mental health literacy with Jimi Hunt

In this episode, we're joined by mental health advocate Jimi Hunt to explore the concept of 'mental health literacy' and why language matters.

While mental health awareness has improved over the years - there is still a gap between knowing about mental health and taking actions towards better mental health.

We discuss how to obtain and maintain positive mental wellness, how to understand mental health problems and seek support, and how to decrease stigma in the workplace.

 

Our guest: Jimi Hunt

Jimi is the co-founder of the charity Live More Awesome and is most well known for his work in reducing the stigma around mental health in a distinctly colourful way. He is a Guinness World Record holder, two times TEDx speaker, a regular panellist on morning radio/TV shows and has been the subject of a documentary and two feature episodes of a major US Network show highlighting his unique and highly successful exploits into raising awareness of mental health.

 

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Episode 23: Case study - wellbeing at Mitre 10

In this interview, we take a look at a workplace wellbeing case study.  Our guest is Nicky Primrose, Health, Safety & Wellbeing Business Partner at Mitre 10.

Mitre 10 has been a part of New Zealand's home improvement culture since 1974. It is New Zealand-owned and operated, and is New Zealand's largest home improvement and garden retailer.

As a co-operative spread from Kaitaia to Invercargill, Mitre 10 is committed to the wellbeing of its team of over 5,000 people.

Of course, recent events with COVID-19 have meant the operations support team has needed to come up with new and innovative ways to support their people, manage risk and sustain the business.

Nicky shares the Mitre 10 wellbeing journey, including insights, lessons learned, and what's ahead for the community-minded business.

 

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Episode 22: Rethinking work hours with a 4-day week

In this interview, we explore the idea of a 4-day working week.

COVID-19 has certainly forced a rethink on modern work practices, and the 4-day working week has hit the headlines as a potential game-changer for productivity and workplace wellbeing.

Many in New Zealand will know of the success of the four-day working week at Perpetual Guardian. It made headlines around the world in 2019 when results showed the introduction of a compressed schedule delivered an increase in worker productivity, engagement, wellbeing, and job satisfaction.

Having seen the success, other big-name brands have jumped on board. Even New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has given it a stamp of approval as a flexible work option. So, how does it work? What are the pros and cons, and in which organisations is it likely to be most successful?

Joining us in this interview is Andrew Barnes, founder of Perpetual Guardian and founder of 4 Day Week Global and the 4 Day Week Global Foundation. Andrew is also on the advisory boards of both the US and Ireland 4 Day Week campaigns and the board of the newly created Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University.

Andrew shares his experience with launching a 4-day week across multiple businesses, plus shares insights on the future of work.

 

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Episode 21: How to increase motivation and inspire employee health behaviour change

In this interview, we take a deep dive into the science of behaviour change. Feel good messaging won't motivate all employees to make healthy lifestyle choices, so what will?

To explore the topic, we're joined by ROW behaviour change expert Dr Mark Wallace-Bell.

We discuss motivation and commitment, and what organisations can do to support employees to make sustainable, healthy behaviour changes. We also discuss barriers to change and simple tips for inspiring employees to try something new.

Dr Mark Wallace-Bell (RN, BSc (Hons)(Psych)PhD) is an internationally recognised health behaviour change specialist.

When not with ROW, Mark is at the University of Canterbury where he teaches post-graduate papers on health behaviour change.

 

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Episode 20: What workplaces can do to support the food-mood connection

In this interview, we turn our focus to the link between food and mood.

The science on this is clear: what you eat can impact your mental wellbeing. While food choice can be impacted by how you feel, research shows food may also be a mood trigger - particularly for low moods.
Recent studies show that the more people improve their food choices, the more their depression improves, and food choices have been positively linked to learning and memory. Emerging research is also putting the spotlight on gut health and gut microbiome. Eating foods that support your gut microbiome can support your mental health.

Clearly, nutrition is an important part of mental health support at work.

Joining us in this episode to take a deep dive into the world of food and mood is our guest, and fellow ROW community member, Bronwyn Hudson. Bronwyn has over 20 years of experience across nutrition, health and wellbeing, education and children’s development, parenting support and health coaching, and understands the real-world challenges relating to health, balance and adopting change.

We explore the current science, how you can support nutrition at work, and tips and tricks for improving brain and gut health.

 

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Episode 19: Building a well environment at 2degrees - a case study

In this episode, we turn our focus to the link between the work environment and wellbeing, using a case study. 
In late 2020, 2degrees announced its ambition to become the first company in New Zealand to receive WELL Certification as part of the move to its new home at 136 Fanshawe Street in Auckland.

Delivered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the WELL Building Standard (WELL) assesses the key elements of a building and an organisation’s wellbeing practices that have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of people.
WELL was developed by integrating scientific and medical information on environmental health, behavioural factors, health outcomes and demographic risk factors that affect health alongside leading practices in building design and management. To obtain certification, the new 2degrees building would include elements such as enhanced air quality, sound mapping, considered lighting design, restorative spaces, and many other positive wellbeing features that have been cleverly designed within the fitout. 

The building is also targeting a Green Star 6-star rating.

Joining us is Nicky Vaughan, Head of Safety and Wellness at 2degrees and Shelly Thompson of Norman Disney Young.
Together, we’ll explore the journey, talk about why this was important for the company, and discuss tips for other organisations looking to improve their work environment to foster wellbeing.

 

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Episode 18: Leadership & burnout - the issue we can‘t afford to ignore

In this episode, we turn our focus to burnout. Burnout is increasing, and it seems to be everywhere at the moment. New research out of AUT suggests 11 per cent of New Zealand workers might be experiencing burnout.

Globally, COVID-19 has increased pressure on working adults as they juggle uncertainty, work and life commitments. For those in a leadership role, the pressure can be even greater.

To take a deep dive on the topic, we are joined by two of New Zealand's leading experts: Professor Jarrod Haar of AUT's business school and Suzi McAlpine, leadership coach and author of the popular new release book - Beyond Burnout: A New Zealand Guide.

We discuss what burnout is, the signs and symptoms, and the impact of burnout on self, loved ones and work. Plus, we explore the impact of burnout on leaders and business productivity. Plus, we discuss those all-important solutions to avoid burnout, and what to do if you're already there or supporting someone to recover.

 

Our guests:

Professor Jarrod Haar: Professor Jarrod Haar (PhD) is a Professor of Human Resource Management in the Department of Management and has tribal affiliations of Ngati Maniapoto and Ngati Mahuta. In 2018, Professor Haar was appointed as a Member of the Marsden Fund Council and is the Convenor of the Marsden Economics and Human Behavioural Sciences panel. Jarrod is a Research Fellow of the Australia & New Zealand Academy of Management (since 2012), an Associate Fellow of the Human Resource Institute of New Zealand (HRINZ) and won the inaugural HRINZ HR Researcher of the Year Award in 2016. In April 2016, he became the Deputy Director of the NZ Work Research Institute. In 2017, he won the Faculty of Business and Economics (AUT) Individual Researcher of the Year. His research approach spans broadly across a wide range of management topics, but with a strong focus on Human Resource Management and Organizational Behaviour.

Suzi McAlpine:  A leadership coach, award-winning blogger and keynote speaker, Suzi works alongside CEOs, managers and executives to facilitate clarity, direction and optimal performance in the areas people need it most. Suzi McAlpine is a Leadership Development Specialist and author of award-winning leadership blog, The Leader’s Digest. She writes and teaches about accomplished leadership, what magic emerges when it’s present, and how to ignite better leadership in individuals, teams and organisations.
Suzi has been a leader and senior executive herself, working alongside CEOs and executive teams in many guises. Her experience has included being a head-hunter and executive coach, and a practice leader for a division at the world’s largest HR consulting firm.

 

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Episode 17: How technology can boost wellbeing at work

In this session, we’re joined by guest tech entrepreneur and investor Ben Reid from Memia to discuss wellbeing and technology. We’ll discuss the role of technology in improving health in the workplace, plus look at data security and privacy, particularly with the recent hack of wearable device-maker Garmin. We also discuss how to make the most of technology solutions in your workplace and how to encourage employee participation. If you’re considering tech as part of your wellbeing strategy, this will be a must-listen interview!

Ben Reid is an experienced advisor with a deep industry background in technology business strategy. Ben works with a wide range of organisations spanning multinational software companies, government agencies and startups, bringing technological capability at governance and executive level.

Ben is active in promoting innovation and collaboration across the New Zealand technology industry and public sector.  From 2017-2019 he was the Executive Director of the Artificial Intelligence Forum of New Zealand, has been a longstanding committee member and former Chairman of the CanterburyTech, the regional tech industry body and also the establishment Chairman of Canterbury Angel Investors Inc., the regional Angel Investment network.  Ben is a member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.

 

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